The Indian Under-17 team caused a major upset yesterday when they defeated an Italian youth team 2–0 at the Stadio Citta di Arezzo in Arizo. The win was the first of their ongoing European exposure tour.
With the victory, the Indian Colts will now head to the Lazio Cup with a big confidence boost. India will face Representative Lega Pro, Lazio and Valmontone in the Lazio Cup from 23rd May to 25th May, and the defeat of Italy is a timely shot in the arm for the Colts. Here is the story that was behind India’s famous win on a football pitch in Italy.
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#1 First win of their European tour
Prior to kick-off, the Colts had played seven matches on their ongoing European tour but failed to win even one. A 2–2 draw with Benfica was their best result, as the young Colts fell to defeat at the hands of teams like Vitoria de Setubal, Belenenses, Estoril and Sporting Lisbon.
They were on the back of a 1–1 draw with Saint Leu on Tuesday, and not many had expected them to spring a surprise against the Italian team. They had conceded 16 goals in their past seven games, but yesterday’s win was achieved while keeping a clean sheet.
Having conceded more than two goals per game on their European tour, beating Italy without conceding will rank as one of the highs of Indian football.
Update: It was earlier reported that India had defeated Italy’s U-17 national team. However, subsequent reports emerged that Italy didn’t field its first team for the game, but a team comprised of youth players from Lega Pro and Lega Pro 2 clubs.
#2 The Colts have come a long way from losing 8–0 to Russia
Earlier this year, the Colts suffered a humiliating 8–0 defeat at the hands of Russia in the Granatkin Cup, a result that eventually had a hand in the departure of Nicolai Adam as the head coach. How fortunes have changed in four months!
Since coach Luis Norton de Matos’s appointment, the win over the Italian team is India’s first. From being handed a 8–0 thrashing to outperforming elite European team Italy, the Colts have come a long way. They now need to keep their feet on the ground and hope to cause similar upsets in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup later this year.
#3 Holding on to a lead
When India took the lead yesterday with Abhijit’s 31st-minute goal, it was only the second time the Colts had led on their European tour. Against Belenenses, India took the lead in the 35th minute through Rahim Ali but failed to hold on to it as they lost 2–1. In all the other matches, the Colts had conceded the first goal that made things difficult for them.
There was no such difficulty against the Italian team. After taking the lead, the Colts were intent on pushing for the second goal, which arrived late on in the game. They held on to their advantage well and created numerous chances to put the game to bed, suggesting that the World Cup-bound kids are learning fast.
#4 Putting away chances
The Colts had scored only seven goals in seven games prior to the Italy clash, not a special return for a team that will lock horns with the best Under-17 teams in the World Cup. That scoring record, however, was consigned to the past as the Colts scored two without reply against the Italians. Those two goals made it nine in eight games for the Colts, but the major worry now is their profligacy in front of goal.
Aniket Jadhav missed quite a few chances yesterday, two of them one-on-ones, while Rahul Praveen also missed an open goal chance in the second half before making amends by scoring the second goal. Putting away chances is an area of concern for the Colts. But nothing boosts confidence like scoring goals, and yesterday’s double against the Azzurri youth team will stand to benefit the Colts in the World Cup.
#5 The road ahead
It’s been a whirlwind month for the Colts, who have travelled to Portugal, faced six Portuguese clubs sides, made it to France before heading to Italy, where they will now move to Italian capital Rome to play in the Lazio Cup. In 33 days, the Colts have played eight times but what is incredible is that their energy levels have gone up with each passing match rather than down.
Their European tour results read LLDLLLDW. The Colts are now two games unbeaten and seem to have picked up momentum ahead of the Lazio Cup in terms of performance as well as results. What is heartening to see that instead of falling to fatigue, they look revitalised. With four more months before the World Cup comes about, this is a sign of what Norton de Matos has effected in his team.
Update: It was earlier reported that India had defeated Italy’s U-17 national team. However, subsequent reports emerged that Italy didn’t field its first team for the game, but a team comprised of youth players from Lega Pro and Lega Pro 2 clubs.
