With six months to go for the first ever FIFA tournament to be held in India and also the first-time India will play in the main event of a FIFA tournament, things are looking up a bit for Indian football. With the ranking of men’s team reaching 101^st in world and 11^th in Asia, our little champions are raring to go out and show the world their worth.

With the above in mind let’s look at the realistic achievable goal for India U-17 team.

Now let’s try to answer the above:

We have never done well in age group tournaments. The focus area always was the senior national team. But if you look at evolved football countries, they put equal importance to age group tourneys as to the senior team engagements. The logic behind this is to create a pipeline of players for the national team. The pipeline is not only for the future but also to fill up any sudden void. And they have reaped benefits of it. At last India is also walking down the same path albeit little late. But it’s better to be late than never.

The current U-17 team has been accorded with finest of training facility. Along with that they have also got exposure trips abroad, backroom staff, mental conditioning coach etc. With the recent controversy involving former manager Nicolai Adam put to rest and new coach appointed, things are looking well again. The All India Football Federation needs to be applauded for their handling of the situation.

I’ve seen this set of players in action on couple of occasions. First when they were playing in AFC qualifiers and second when they were playing in BRICS tournament. And I must admit they presented a beautiful brand of football. They were playing higher ranked teams like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Brazil, China and Russia. They played fearlessly and that’s the beautiful and important part. Not been overwhelmed by their opponent’s stature. The opponents were not only taller but physically stronger. They knew they will be unable to match their opponents in air, so they played fluid one touch football. Keeping the ball using the flanks. Again, compliments to the former manager who instilled the belief. It remains to be seen whether the new manager continues with the same philosophy or changes it.

So now the question comes what we should expect this team to achieve in the world cup. There are few options through which we can answer the above.

1. India goes to next round.
2. Present free flowing football.
3. Couple of players get selected to play abroad.

Team’s run in the tournament will depend on the draw of the groups. The draw is in June and only then we will come to know alongside which countries India has been placed.  Constituents of the group will give a picture on India’s chances of advancing forward. We must also remember that most of the countries qualifying will have previous experience of playing in world cup. But of course, we can keep our fingers crossed because on a given day “things happen”. Maybe an underdog story is waiting to be unfolded. But realistically presently it seems an uphill task for the young guns to go through to next round.

Second option is the most realistic, acceptable and achievable.  Don’t get overwhelmed by your opponent’s ranking and pedigree. Play like you have nothing to lose (actually India has nothing to lose). Stick to the game plan. Don’t be push over. Have faith that you can do it. Present the beautiful brand of football. Win hearts win minds. Get associated with the fact that this team plays entertaining football. The entire team has to address a key issue - conceding goals at crucial moments. If we can address this issue we can go to the next round. To take a leaf out of Conte’s (Chelsea and former Italy manager) coaching manual, India should deploy a 3-4-3 formation. It brings stability in the back and fluidity in midfield. It also suits India as we have some pacy wingers and full backs who love to overlap.

If India can achieve the above then third option will automatically follow. FIFA age group tournaments are the hunting grounds for scouts. They will be present and keeping a keen eye for the next Messi or Ronaldo.  And India has couple of players who have the calibre to play abroad. If they get a chance to be part of age group team of any European club, the future of Indian football is bright. Case in point Sunil Chetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The way they conduct themselves on the ball and off the ball shows their class. Their talent has been enhanced due to their European stints. Imagine if we can have five to six players in the starting line-up who ply their trade in Europe, what formidable team we will be. And this starts with the U-17 team. Even The All India Football Federation should try and get some of the boys placed abroad.

Infrastructure for the hosting cities are going through a makeover which will make life better for football players.

To hope for an underdog punching above its weight story is worth its salt. If India can progress to the knockout stages then people will start taking notice. Even the senior national manager Stephen Constantine will have options to try few of the U-17 players for the senior team.

To conclude I wish to see Indian team presenting a free flowing one touch football without getting overwhelmed. Would wish that they reach the knockout stages and take everyone by surprise. But presently it is a wishful thinking. What happens on ground we will see in October and yes keep fingers crossed. All the best team India.