Goa, Oct 4:
India would look for a positive start when they open their campaign against Russia in the BRICS U-17 football tournament which commences tomorrow at the GMC stadium here.
The inaugural match will be played between Brazil and China. South Africa, the other team among the five nations, will arrive later today.
The final is slated for October 15.
India coach Nicolau Adam said except for a few minor injuries he has a full squad at his disposal for tomorrow’s match against Russia who are a strong opponent to beat.
In the recently-concluded AFC U-16 Championships held here, India failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Adam said the BRICS tournament would be a good exposure for the boys who have raised their game and did well in the AFC U-16 Championships.
“Although the team could not make it to the knock out round, on the whole the performance was good. It was a good experience for the boys and now that we are playing among the top four nations in BRICS tournament we are looking to improve further before we travel to Brazil to train and also play a tournament before the U-17 World Cup,” stated Adam.
“Russia are a strong side who have won all their three matches of the qualifying round of next year’s U-17 world Cup and we will have to play at our best to beat them. All the four teams are strong and it will be a good exposure for the boys,” Adam said.
India will be without Boris Thangjam who got his second yellow card in the match against Iran in the AFC U-16 Championships. (PTI)
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