The day has finally arrived where an official FIFA tournament will kick-off in India and the host country will take on the USA in the first group stage game at the Jawaharlal Stadium in New Delhi tonight. And to add more value to the event, this is India’s debut in an official FIFA event.
These 21-young-men have a brilliant opportunity to make a mark on the international stage and take Indian football to greater heights. Under the management of Luís Norton de Matos, team India will look to make a bright start against the Americans.
India need to be well organised at the back as the USA are known to be a huge offensive threat. With Aniket Jadhav in the forward line and Jeakson Singh anchoring the midfield, the men in blue have a talented squad.
Full-back Boris Singh will be missing for the host country as he picked up a suspension in the final of the 2016 AFC U16 Championship group game against Saudi Arabia.
The team led by John Hackworth has a good line up and are looking to overcome the buzzing men in blue. With Hackworth being a part of two World Cups prior to this one, his 4-3-3 set up will be tough to break with a deadly trio of Josh Sargent, Ayo Akinola and Timothy Weah in the attack.
Josh Sargent could be in line to win the golden boot as his goal scoring ability is to watch out for. He is the youngest U.S. player to score at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and has trained with German club FC Schalke 04 and will sign a professional contract with Werder Bremen in January 2018.
USA isn't too defensively sound as the back four is playing out of position. Winger Komal Thatal will look to exploit the USA defence with pace and dribbling skills.
India has a great opportunity ahead of them and under the leadership of Amarjit Kiyam, the young men are in with a chance.
Here are the two squads:-
Kick off: 8:00 pm IST
Location: Jawaharlal Stadium in New Delhi
LIVE on Sony TEN 2 and TEN 3.
Share
Tweet
