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--------------------- ALL GAMES WINNABLE IN FOOTBALL, U-17 COACH MATOS *By Joseph Solomon,AIFF Media Team* *GOA: *With less than 20 days to go for India to clash swords against USA in the first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 hosted by India, Head Coach of the Indian U-17s Luis Norton de Matos wants to show through the mega event that India is on the same page as the rest of the World. “All games are winnable in football, there is no game which can’t be won. Even if there is a five percent chance of winning we will fight for it,” Matos said. “We want to show that the Indian team is as organized as the rest of the World and if we can show the World that we too can play football, it would be even better,” he maintained. The Indian U-17s are currently gearing up for the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 campaign in Goa. The colts recently had taken part in a Four-Nation Tournament in Mexico after being part of exposure trips in Europe, facing National Team and Club Teams such as Benfica, Serbia and Macedonia amongst others. “The level of the Indian U-17s is very high but come the FIFA U-17 World Cup it will be a different ball game altogether. However, if we can prove that the Indian Team can play on the same page as the opposition in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, there is a victory in that,” Matos added. “Every game you play either you win or it is a learning experience. Against Chile and Macedonia, we registered good results but the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be a competition and competitions are different for friendly games,” he stated. “It is amazing to be a part of a unique moment in Indian Football’s history. I am very happy to be a part of it. If the players continue to play with hard work and dedication and chart goals for them, they can go on to be the some of the best in the coming years,” he certified. The Portuguese Head Coach further added: “The Players are already heroes because they will be playing in India’s first ever participation in a FIFA World Cup. This generation can inspire many coming generations to take up Football in India.” ---------------------- WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN QUALIFY ON MERIT, SAYS BIBIANO FERNANDES *By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay,* *AIFF Media Team* *KATHMANDU:* From winning the SAFF U-15 Championship a month ago to defeating the Qatar U16 National Team on their own soil, the Indian U-16 National side have been hogging the limelight for all the right reasons. The test is even bigger now as they are slated to lock horns with defending champions Iraq, a strong Palestine and hosts Nepal in the AFC U-16 Championship 2018 qualifiers at Kathmandu. A day prior to the campaign opener against Palestine at the Halchowk Stadium in Kathmandu, coach Bibiano Fernandes, in an interview spoke at length about the opponents, exposure trip to Qatar and much more. *EXCERPTS:* *What will be your message to the boys before the AFC Qualifier kicks off?* Boys are thriving to show their worth on the bigger stage and now it's time to showcase their talent. The SAFF championship has been a golden chapter but it's history now. We strongly believe that we have the ability to qualify for the AFC U-16 Championship 2018 on merit. The stage is set, planning has been immaculate so far, now we have to be just and hit the target with utmost precision. *Recently your team have won the SAFF U15 Championship in Nepal. Will it give you any psychological advantage during the AFC Qualifiers?* We need to keep it in mind that AFC is a completely different ball-game from SAFF Championship. At the same time, I believe that our boys are all set to give it a go. Yeah, it always makes you confident when you go back to the SAFF Championship victory, but as I said, this is an entirely different level. *India have been clubbed against heavyweight Iraq, Palestine and hosts Nepal.* We remember Iraq's all-round performance in Goa when they triumphed over the AFC U-16 Championship last year. But at the same time, they've to start from the scratch and so do we. We're expecting a very physical challenge from Iraq and Palestine, not to forget Nepal as well who would be backed by a vociferous home crowd. With all due respect to all our opponents, I would like to mention that we won’t go down without a fight. *How much did the exposure trip to Qatar aid your plan?* I need to admit that it was a very good and beneficial camp. Our boys have proved their mettle against the Qatar National Team, the Al-Sadd U-16 Team, having won one match and drawn another. The exposure in Qatar will help us immensely and I need to thank AIFF for organising it for us. ---------------------- For all other updates and all news and exclusive pictures please follow our Official Twitter Handle *https://twitter.com/IndianFootball <https://twitter.com/IndianFootball>* Also, please follow and like the Official Page of Indian Football on Facebook *https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianFootballTeam <https://www.facebook.com/TheIndianFootballTeam>* Also, please follow and like the Official Account of Indian Football on Instagram *https://www.instagram.com/IndianFootball* <https://www.instagram.com/IndianFootball> Media Department, AIFF. Alternate: me...@the-aiff.com Website: www.the-aiff.com