Fans will get to see the WC trophy live in Mumbai from September 6

The Official Winner’s Trophy of the FIFA U-­17 World Cup India 2017 is currently on an India tour for a promotional aspect in the lead up to the tournament, the trophy experience commenced its journey in New Delhi on the 19th August 2017 and shall now land in Navi Mumbai on 06th September 2017 at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium.

With exactly a month to go for the big tournament, as a build up to it, a Legends Football Match will be held involving five legendary names from FIFA (Jorge Campos, Carlos Valderrama, Fernando Morientes, Marcel Desailly & Emmanuel Amuneke) and a team of legendary Indian personalities.

55-year-old Carlos Valderrama, played 3 editions of the FIFA World Cup in a decorated career spanning more than 2 decades. Joining him is Spaniard Fernando Morientes, the ex-Liverpool forward featured in two editions of the FIFA World Cup for Spain. Ghana-born Marcel Desailly, who was part of the French side that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and went on to captain Les Bleus to two FIFA Confederations Cup titles in 2001 and 2003, will also be part of the game.

Striker-turned-goalkeeper Jorge Campos, who revolutionised the art of goalkeeping and was Mexico’s undisputed first-choice custodian along with Emmanuel Amuneke, a former Nigeria international, who played at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and won Olympic gold in 1996 are also included for the event.

The game will be held at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Nerul, Navi Mumbai on the 6^th September, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 12:00PM.

Also Read: The unbeaten streak, the rankings are not a fluke: Subrata Paul

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Matos who met the AIFF Advisory Committee including representatives from Sports Authority of India, and had a chat with Mr Injeti Srinivas, the Director General, SAI on Monday evening, flew to Mumbai to meet with All India Football Federation President Mr Praful Patel in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Welcoming Matos, the AIFF President Mr Patel said: “It’s nice to have Mr Matos on board. His experience of handling youth Teams will come in handy for the U-17 boys as we wish to leave no stone unturned to field a competitive team in the U-17 World Cup. I expect him to guide our boys to put up a strong performance in the World Cup.”

The 63-year old Coach “thanked” AIFF for making him a “part of the project.”

“My role will be to orchestrate everything wherein the players will be playing their part,” he told the AIFF Committee. “I admire AIFF’s vision and the U-17 World Cup will act as a base for development of Football in India. The players need to believe in themselves to do something special for the Country,” he stated.

“I do have an Indian connection as my great grandfather was born in Goa,” he informed. “I will retain the positives of the last two years as we move forward,” he maintained.

— AIFF Media Team

The post LUIS NORTON DE MATOS APPOINTED AS HEAD COACH OF U-17 WC TEAM appeared first on Football Counter.

After the controversial departure of U-17 Coach Nicolai Adams last month the position has been left open ever since. With Just months left for the all important U17 World cup, the Indian squad are without a coach while the board has put out ads inviting new applications.

Late last week, AIFF revealed that Technical Committee chairman Bhaichung Bhutia and Scouting head Abhishek Yadav had been drafted in to aid the team’s preparation and development. “We are forming two committees [to select the new coach],” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. “One is the AIFF Advisory Committee which shall comprise of Bhaichung Bhutia (Chairman, Technical Committee of the AIFF), Abhishek Yadav (COO, India Under-17 team), Kishore Taid (Head of Strategic Planning, AIFF),  and myself.”

For now, Stephen Constantine, the Indian National team coach will take charge of the U17 team on an interim basis until the AIFF has appointed a successor to Nicolai Adam. The Englishman has his task cut-out with 2019 Asian Cup Qualifiers in March and the responsibilities of U17 team for the rapidly approaching U17 World Cup later this year.

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AIFF technical director Scott O’Donnell also resigned from his post citing family reasons for his departure. The former Cambodia coach spent five years at the AIFF, first as director of the academies and coach education, then as technical director, succeeding Dutchman Rob Baan. Former India Assistant coach, Savio Madeira will be the new Technical director of the board. Madeira has worked at Salgaocar for 17 years while also being India’s Assistant coach from 2008 to 2011.

FootballCounter Take

While the departure of Nicolai Adams under the ill-fated circumstances has left a void in the coaching job, the board needs to take immediate decision for the replacement with the world cup closing in as Constantine himself has a heavy task of guiding the Indian National team through the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers, as failing which he could see his tenure have an early end.

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