Tag: FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017

by India Footy

Confirming IndiaFooty’s report Jamshedpur sign Arrows duo

JAMSHEDPUR: As reported by IndiaFooty on July 12, 2018, Jamshedpur FC have completed the signing of young prospects Aniket Jadhav and Amarjit Singh from All India Football Federation’s developmental side Indian Arrows. The duo have signed till the year 2021.

Also Read: Jamshedpur FC sign Indian Arrows forward

Both players were part of Indian National Football Team’s FIFA U-17 World Cup squad and have plied their trade for Indian Arrows in the I-League.

Born in Kolhapur, Jadhav was part of the AIFF Elite Academy batch that was preparing for the 2017 U-17 World Cup. After the showpiece event, Jadhav was selected to play for the Indian Arrows, an AIFF owned I-League team consisting India under-19 players. Along with him, Amarjit, who was born in Manipur, plays as a center midfielder and was the captain of the Indian team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup squad as they shared a camaraderie together.

After signing for Jamshedpur FC, Jadhav said, “I am glad to be part of Jamshedpur FC! It was been an amazing time representing India U-17 in the World Cup and Indian Arrows and I am happy to get this opportunity with Jamshedpur.”

Young forward Amarjit also showed his enthusiasm on joining the Tata Steel franchise as he said, “The journey till now (playing for India U-17, Indian Arrows, and now Jamshedpur FC) is like a dream though, and the love for this game surely makes my dream bigger. I am happy to be part of this club.”

Head Coach Cesar Ferrando was happy to see more developmental players joining the squad. He claimed, “Having players like Aniket and Amarjit is a good thing for us. Along with Gourav, Mobashir and Vishal, we hope they form the crux of our future squads.”

Club Chief Executive Mukul Choudhari added,” It is great to sign these two brilliant boys from the squad. We hope they have a long and successful future with the club. I would want to welcome both Amarjit and Aniket to Jamshedpur.”

The youngsters will be loaned back to Indian Arrows for one more season for them to gain more playing time in the I-League.

by India Footy

Luis Norton de Matos steps down

NEW DELHI: Based on Luis Norton de Matos’ request citing personal reasons to relieve him of his contract with Indian Arrows, All India Football Federation, on mutual understanding has decided to release him of his responsibilities as Head Coach of AIFF’s Developmental Team.

In a letter to AIFF, Matos who had coached India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 expressed his inability to continue owing to a combination of exigencies on the personal front and an aggravated knee injury that necessitated Matos’ family to stay together in Portugal.

Matos wrote: “Certain personal reasons, chiefly the health-related issues of my parents have made it difficult for me to continue in the position of Head Coach, Indian Arrows and stay far away from Europe for the entire season. Hence, with deep regret, I have decided to step down as the Head Coach of the Indian Arrows, India’s U-19 National team.”

“I like to thank AIFF for providing me with the opportunity to work with the National youth team. I thank my staff, my players and wish them the best in their careers. Once my personal issues settle down I shall be more than happy to contribute in the future as and when I can. I have deep affection and love towards India & Indian Football & wish AIFF good luck for future,” his letter further stated.

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF thanked Matos for all his support and contribution to Indian Football.

“On behalf of AIFF, we thank Luis Matos for his guidance, support and contribution to Indian Football. We hope his personal issues including the injury get sorted out soon and wish him and his family all the best and good health.”

by India Footy

Constantine summons 4 U-17 World Cup players for SAFF Championship camp

NEW DELHI: Four U-19 players who represented India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 have been summoned by National Coach Stephen Constantine for the preparatory camp for the SAFF Championship.

The four U-19 players — Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Rahim Ali and Rahul KP — all of whom are part of AIFF’s developmental team Indian Arrows will be reporting to the Camp in Delhi from July 28 onwards, along with 30 others.

Among the others, 29 are current U-23 players with Sumeet Passi being the sole senior player (above 23) named in the list of 34 probables.

India, the defending champions, have been clubbed in Group B along with Maldives and Sri Lanka and play their first match against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh (venue not yet announced) on September 6. The final is slated on September 15.

Constantine stressed it’s important to see whether the youngsters are up to the challenge or not.

“We are always looking down to the age groups to see if these players can make the step up the ladder. I have always put a great deal of importance on the youth and have stuck to the same philosophy — this camp is no different. Quite a few youngsters have been provided with a chance to prove their worth,” he added.

“Heading to a tournament with such a young team is going to be a challenge but that’s what we want. We want to find out that particular player who can push the extra bit to achieve the desired result, who can take up the extra responsibility to force himself into the team.”

The list of 34 probables stay as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Vishal Kaith, Toufik Kabir, Kamaljit Singh, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.

DEFENDERS: Nishu Kumar, Umesh Perambhara, Davinder Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Salam Ranjan Singh, Sarthak Golui, Lalruatthara, Subhasish Bose, Jerry Lalrinzuala.

MIDFIELDERS: Nikhil Poojary, Isaac Vanmalswama, S Nandha Kumar, Udanta Singh, Vinit Rai, Germanpreet Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Rohit Kumar, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Arjun Jayaraj, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Ashique Kuruniyan, Vignesh D, Rahim Ali.

FORWARDS: Sumit Passi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Hitesh Sharma, Alen Deory, Manvir Singh, Kivi Zhimomi, Rahul KP.

HEAD COACH: Stephen Constantine.

by India Footy

I-League 2017/18: East Bengal wary of Indian Arrows

NEW DELHI: The New Year could not have begun on a better note for Indian Football when a bunch of teenagers considered the future generation of Indian Football, the Indian Arrows, gear up to challenge one of most historical Indian clubs, East Bengal in an I-League match at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Tuesday.

The Indian Arrows, the developmental Team of All India Football Federation, is perhaps the sole such project in the World where a bunch of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds are playing together in a Team in the premier league of any Country. Even as one may frantically search, it’s improbable to find such an initiative elsewhere.

Not that one needs to deal with the teenagers with sympathy. Teams can do it at their own risk as the teenagers, only in their last match held mighty Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw, that too with 10-men at the Mohun Bagan ground. They presently stand on 7 points from 6 matches.

East Bengal Coach Khalid Jamil, the man with the Midas touch who guided ‘outsiders’ Aizawl FC to a historic triumph in the last edition of I-League stressed that his team are “not taking the teenagers lightly at all.”

“The Indian Arrows are playing good football ranging from the goalkeepers to the forwards. There is a lot of confidence and they play as a unit on the field. It is evident that they are hungry and we are not taking them lightly”, said Khalid.

“We are playing an away fixture with a good young team who have played excellently in their last two matches. We acknowledge the fact that the Indian Arrows are a genuine threat to us”

“Dheeraj (Singh) is an excellent goalkeeper and not having to face him tomorrow will be a huge advantage for us. But still, it will be a tough match for us”, he added.

“The Indian Arrows have improved a lot and for a U-17s player, I have to give them a lot of credit from showing composure and confidence on the pitch. We will not take them lightly”, said Trinidad International Willis Plaza sitting beside Khalid Jamil.

Referring to the last game against Neroca FC, Jamil said, “When you take an early lead you approach the game a bit defensively and we conceded in the dying embers. We need to rectify our mistakes and move ahead”

The Red and Gold, still looking out for their maiden I-League triumph stay on course at the top of the League at the moment with 14 points from 7 matches.

Luis Norton de Matos, the Portuguese Coach who coached India in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, presently coaching the teenagers said, “All the games that we play in I-League are a big motivation for us. Against Mohun Bagan, we pulled off a very massive result and the boys showed that it is possible to play against some of the best teams in the nation”

“East Bengal are a very good and organized team. The coach Khalid Jamil is a very good coach and they have many players which are very difficult to stop in the final third”, reflected Matos on Indian Arrows’ next opponents.

“Tomorrow I expect a very hard game for us, but we are prepared for it. We are going to play to win and we will play to our maximum tomorrow as well against East Bengal”, he added.

Quipping to the 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan away from home, Rahul K.P sitting beside Matos said, “We believe in a collective process and we are confident of delivering good performances. I did my duty when I scored for my team and I am proud that I could help my team in whatever way possible”

“The boys surprised everyone in the nation”, said Matos on the performance of the Indian Arrows in I-League. “It is about collectivity and not individuality and I believe that we are a collective unit that believes in the process of development. The big winner in the future is Indian football with this kind of approach and this kind of development”

by India Footy

I-League 2017/18: Bagan Gear Up For First-Ever I-League Fixture At Kolkata Maidan

KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan host Indian Arrows in what will be a historic first ever I-League match at their own home ground on Friday. Meanwhile, this is going to be the youngsters’ first visit to the city which is termed as the Mecca of Indian Football after their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign.

The Green and Maroons will be looking to shrug off their mid-table blues and will be relying on the support of their faithful present at the club grounds, attendance expected to breach the 15,000 mark.

Though the Kolkata giants have remained unbeaten this season so far, three draws with only two victories have seen them slip to the fifth spot on the 2017/18 I-League table. The latest results at home, a 1-1 draw with Shillong Lajong and a goalless stalemate against newly promoted NEROCA FC have made the fans restless coupled with arch-rivals East Bengal now perched on top of the standings.

“We play to win matches but is impossible to win all the games. Obviously will be eyeing full three points from tomorrow’s game. In the last match we created more chances but unfortunately could not convert. We have already lost too many points. Three draws are equivalent to defeats. We have dropped six points already. We cannot afford to lose any more points”, said head coach Sanjoy Sen on the eve of the game.

He also upped the young side, “Indian Arrows are a good side. They won their first game but lost in the next three matches. They successfully came back against Lajong and showed everybody they are a good side. We have to be cautious against them. When a team play together for a long time and train under a good coach, they obviously become an organised outfit. The coordination is evident from their performances.”

He hoped that the fans will go back smiling after watching their football stars play in I-League at home for the first time. “We are playing a I-League match for the very first time at our own ground. The perfect way to commemorate this occasion is by winning the match.”

While Sony Norde and Arijit Bagui are ruled out, Eze Kingsley makes his comeback after a one-game suspension. Azharuddin Mallick could get his first start of the season in the left wing position.

On the flip side, Indian Arrows arrive after thrashing Shillong Lajong 3-0 on Boxing Day and the confidence was sky high.

“I am very much excited to come here to the ‘City of Joy’ for the first time and I have been told the passion here for the game is at a different level. With East Bengal, Mohun Bagan are the front runners to win or at least finish in a top-four place in this competition. They are experienced side and there is a lot of public support with the team that is important”, Matos pointed out.

“When I-League started, the clubs looked at us as outsiders but now they are taking it seriously. We are motivated to play against Mohun Bagan. All my players talk about Kolkata and they will try to win the game. It is a historic team in India and we await a lot of difficulties put in front of us tomorrow,” gaffer Matos added.

On playing in front of a large crowd all rooting against them, the former SL Benfica ‘B’ man did not read too negatively into that. “In the World Cup, the boys played in front of 50000 people but that was for us. Tomorrow will be completely different. They will have to cope otherwise how will they learn? I hope that motivates them more to do well. Earlier this year we played in Saudi Arabia where 10-15000 people were against us and we started the game well. These are the kinds of situations they need to tackle if they have to play top football in Asia and this is a lesson for the boys. I am very excited to play in front of 20000 people”, he said.

“It is not impossible to fight for final four and we would not like to finish last as we have to fight for pride but what our target is the experience after the I-League gets over – that is the most important bit to me. Six goals in five games mean we have done well and it is a team of all Indians that too 16 to 18 year-olds”, he commented on his side’s ultimate aspirations.

by India Footy

I Can Only Dream To Be Like Messi, Says Naorem

NEW DELHI: Comparisons with Lionel Messi have been flowing in since wonder kid Nongdamba Naorem scored that magical goal for AIFF developmental Team Indian Arrows in I-League match against a strong Shillong Lajong FC.

“He is one of my idols,” he quips in a chat, refusing to get into any comparison. In a freewheeling interview, Naorem speaks at length about the ‘Messi-like’ goal, life in the Hero I-League, the technicalities learnt in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and a lot more. EXCEPRTS:

Your goal against Shillong Lajong was very ‘Messi- like.’

Lionel Messi is one of my idols. I can only dream to be like him. The movement for the goal just came naturally to me and it was all split second decisions which led me straight on to the goal. Had I made one decision wrong it would have been different. It was just one of those moments where I did everything right.

People have started comparing you with Lionel Messi.

Can there be any comparison. Every Footballer dreams about him. It is just a motivation for me to do better. It’s not my goal, it’s the goal for my team, the Arrows.

Indian Arrows are the youngest team in the Hero I-League. How has it been when playing older opponents?

One of the elements learnt from the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 was to deal with physically stronger opponents. That has helped us immensely in the Hero I-League. Yes, we are the youngest team but that also means that we can be the swiftest and the quickest. The experience of playing in a FIFA World Cup was immense as we can handle pressure a lot better now.

How challenging is it playing against professional players?

There are a lot of tussle and tackles and physical manipulations when we play against physically strong opponents. But all of that is a part of football. We learn from each match and every opponent. Playing in the Hero I-League is a dream come true for all of us. I need to thank AIFF for providing us the platform for us to mature into better players.

What is like playing in I-League?

Playing in I-League means we are under constant pressure from the best teams in India. It also means the opponents will try to close you down quickly.

How important has the FIFA U-17 World Cup been in your development?

The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 unlocked a different part. It taught me to give my hundred percent on the pitch even while being under pressure. It made me understand, or rather all of us understand that anything is possible when you stay committed as a team. It evolved me into a much better player on and off the pitch.

by India Footy

Former India captain Gurdev Singh Gill felicitated

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Gurdev Singh Gill was felicitated for his outstanding contribution to Indian Football.

The 67-year-old, a winner of Arjuna Award, has captained Indian National Football Team at 1978 Bangkok Asian Games.

Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore presented him a shawl, memento and a cheque of Rs. 5 Lakh on the occasion.

The felicitation ceremony was organised as Gill was away in Canada when Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated former India captains on 6th October in New Delhi during the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017.

Speaking after the felicitation ceremony Gill said he is happy with the promotion of Football in the country as FIFA U-17 World Cup has attracted a lot of attention throughout the country especially among youth and school students. He also expressed his gratitude to the government for felicitating former football players.

by India Footy

Emile Heskey to unveil plans to promote football in India

MUMBAI: Emile Heskey who represented England in 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cup is all set to arrive in India on December 08, 2017 to unveil his plans to promote and develop football in India. Continue reading “Emile Heskey to unveil plans to promote football in India” →

by India Footy

I-League 2017/18: Indian Arrows set for I-League return against Chennai City

GOA: All eyes will be on Indian Arrows – the developmental squad fielded by the All India Football Federation in the I-League 2017-18 as they take on Chennai City FC in the opening round of campaign at the GMC Bambolim Stadium in Goa on Wednesday.

The current Arrows squad is a mix of Under-17 Indian nationals who participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 alongside Under-19 players who recently competed in the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers in Saudi Arabia.

“We are very excited with this possibility to play in the I-League. We know we are looking for such possibilities,” the Indian Arrows coach Luis Norton de Matos said in the pre-match press conference held today.

“These players are going to get more match experience. This is a starting point. The difficulty we see in the I-League will be similar to what we saw in the World Cup,” Matos said.

The idea behind fielding the young footballers in the I-League is to give them game time and Matos feels that this is good for the future.

Meanwhile, such a similar experiment was done between the 2010-2013 period which produced players like Jeje Lalpekhlua, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Holicharan Nazary etc.

Their opponents Chennai City FC are only into their second season in the I-League they would look better their 8th place finish from last season.

The Southern side are giving a platform for young footballers from Tamil Nadu to showcase their talent.

“We are concentrating more on Tamil Nadu players. That is why we have taken players from rural areas. We signed more players from the Chennai league. This year we had a very good pre-season and I have confidence in my players,” Chennai City coach V Soundararajan said.

Meanwhile, their captain Michael Soosairaj was cautiously optimistic.

“Actually we don’t underestimate anyone and everybody knows how they performed in the WC. We hope to be the better team,” the skipper said.

“We get to play 18 games which will give us a lot of experience,” Suresh Singh who played a pivotal role in the FIFA U17 World Cup and is part of the Indian Arrows team said.

by India Footy

I-League 2017/18: Kolkata Derby tickets go on sale

KOLKATA: Tickets for the much anticipated first Kolkata Derby of 2017/18 I-League between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is now live on www.get2thegames.com.

This will be the first time since January 2016 when the Kolkata Derby will be played at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Siliguri’s Kanchenjunga Stadium hosted the high-voltage clash as many four times from March 2016 to September 2017 while Yubabharati Kriranngan was under renovation to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 matches.

The tickets for the Kolkata Derby, which will be Mohun Bagan’s home game, have been priced such that everyone can afford to support their favourite team from the stands. The tickets are priced Rs 100 and Rs 200 for general seating.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan members will get free tickets from Mohun Bagan tent upon production of valid membership card of 2017/18 season.