PHOTOS U-17 World Cup: India go down to US in opener
October 07, 2017
India showed heart but lacked in skill and quality as a much superior United States of America handed them a 3-0 thrashing in their opening encounter of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, in New Delhi, on Friday night.
Playing in their maiden FIFA tournament, rank outsiders India were outclassed by a side that was, without doubt, a few notches above, physically and technically.
Captain and star striker Josh Sargent gave the United States the lead in the 30th minute through a penalty before Chris Dunkin (51st minute)scored a freak goal and Andrew Carleton (84th) added another on the counter.
But for the fine anticipatory skills of goalkeeper Moirangthem Deeraj Singh, who effected some impressive saves, the ‘Boys in Blue’ may have conceded even more goals.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who graced Indian football’s historic moment, greeted the players of both teams before the kick-off.
Modi, who arrived at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium after the day’s first match between Ghana and Colombia, stepped out of the VIP dais to the playing pitch and greeted the team.
As predicted by head coach Luis Norton de Matos, the US made a wave attacks throughout the match and India were left to defend their citadel for the better part of it.
While the US got several chances, India had only a couple of clear looks at the rival goal.
Midfielder Komal Thatal wasted a chance in the second half, his lob was going off the target, while Anwar Ali’s rasping shot in the 83rd minute hit the horizontal bar.
The crowd at the stadium cheered the home players, who became the first ever national team to play in a FIFA World Cup at any level, but the gulf in the class was clearly evident.
The accuracy in passes, the first touch, position sense of the US players made it clear that it was always a catching up game for the Indians.
India were pushed back in their own half most of the time in the face of incessant US attacks.
The US attacking trio of Sargent, Tim Weah and Ayo Akinola kept the Indian defence on tenterhooks.
India’s Portuguese coach surprisingly named midfielder Abhijt Sarkar and Rahul Kannoly, as right full back, in the starting line-up, with Aniket Jadhav being the lone man upfront. The ultra-defensive tactic put them under severe pressure from the start.(Agencies)
