FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: For his Brazil teammates, Vinicius Junior remains an ‘inspiration’

Brazil under-17 team during training in Mumbai on Tuesday. Express Photo

The most expensive teenager to feature at the U-17 World Cup in October has already had a strong impact on his Brazilian teammates. For his teammates in the Selecao’s junior squad, Vinicius Junior’s transfer from Flamengo to Real Madrid serves as an inspiration. “We were all very happy for him, and he’s been an example for us and what we can achieve,” says defender Matheus Stockl, after the team’s first training session in Mumbai.

Brazil are one of the favourites to win the title but the players insist there’s more to them than just the attacking prowess. After training against a quartet that comprises Vinicius, Paulinho, Brenner da Silva and Lincoln dos Santos, Brazilian defenders say they do not fear anyone.

“When you have to defend against Vinicius and the other attackers during training, they stretch you and make you a better defender altogether,” says Stockl, who plays for Atletico Mineiro in the Brazilian league. “If we could face them, we can face anyone.”

During the South American U-17 Championships, the Brazilians remained unbeaten, conceding just three goals in their nine matches with seven clean sheets. Yet for all the anticipation of his arrival, Vinicius was held back by his club Flamengo, and is expected to join the team later on Saturday.

In Brazil however, India welcomes the arrival of the first footballing powerhouse to the World Cup. And the three-time U-17 champions have made arrangements that befit that status.

An armoured police vehicle escorts the team bus from a posh hotel to the Mumbai Football Arena, the venue for the team’s training session, making short work of a route otherwise clogged with traffic. Along with the playing squad of 21 is a sizeable support staff of 17 members — including a physiologist, performance analyst, two kit managers, head of delegation and a chef.

The team immediately swung into action. They had a mild training session on Tuesday. There were basic drills, giving an impression it was more of a recovery session after a long flight to Mumbai. The teenagers indulged in quick, short passing along the surface — most delivered with menacing effect.

Their campaign begins in Kochi against European champions Spain, followed by matches against North Korea and debutants Niger. But Mumbai will get the first glimpse of the squad on Thursday, when they play their sole warm-up game against New Zealand.

For a team like Brazil, success is measured only in World Cup titles. The U-17s last won the title in 2003. But there are high expectations this time, given the strength of their frontline and the confidence it inspires in the team. And they mean business. “The South American championship is the past, we’re focusing on this tournament right now,” says first-choice goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao.

India bid for 2019 U-20 WC

India has formally put in an official bid to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019, the All India Football Federation president Praful Patel said on Tuesday. “We hope through conducting this tournament and with the FIFA executive committee meeting happening in India (Kolkata, from October 26-28) we will be in a position to convince the FIFA of India’s ability, enthusiasm and commitment for hosting such games (U-20 World Cup). We certainly feel the time has come,” Patel said.

He also said India will soon have a world-class national centre of excellence. “We have not shortlisted the location but it is in advanced stage. We are setting up a national training centre of excellence which will be the home of the Indian national team, junior and women’s team,” said Patel, adding that the centre might cost them upwards of Rs 100 crore.

Meanwhile, the host nation’s coach Luis Norton de Matos said he is “not nervous but confident”. “I am not nervous, I am very confident of doing well with this team. Victory will be our target in each and every game, I hope we are proud of our performance, our intensity,” he said. “We are not obliged to win, we are obliged to play for win.”