21 September,2017 04:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Noel D'Souza
When a historic day nears, there’s bound to be butterflies in every stomach.
India goalkeeper Amrinder Singh. Pic/Suresh Karkera
When a historic day nears, there's bound to be butterflies in every stomach. The FIFA U-17 World Cup in India is 15 days away from kick-off in New Delhi where the hosts play USA in the tournament opener on October 6.
India, slotted in Group A along with Colombia, USA and two-time champions Ghana, will have to work their socks off to make it count.
India goalkeeper Amrinder Singh knows a thing or two about delivering at the international level. He was the first choice 'keeper for India U-23 side at the Asian Games in 2014. The lanky shot-stopper also served as the captain of the national team at the AFC U-23 championship qualifiers. Amrinder, who was retained by Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Mumbai City FC for Season 4, understands that the winning pendulum is strongly titled against India's favour, but advised the team not to bother about their opposition.
"The U-17 team have been really good with their preparation. I have seen them play and they are doing really well. The team has been together for a long time. They should forget about their opposition and just focus on their game. They should also be in sync with the coach's plan and give their 110 per cent," Amrinder told mid-day on the sidelines of an event yesterday.
The Hoshiarpur-born custodian, 23, who earlier played as a striker, before performing under the tutelage of Subrata Paul at Mumbai City FC, felt that major events like the FIFA U-17 World Cup should have been brought to Indian shores when he was in his teens. "I started playing very late, so if I had such opportunities, I would have definitely been a better player.
"My basics would have been sharpened and a lot of my techniques that I learnt at a latter stage, I could have learnt it then," he added.
Amrinder, who is still left to make his debut in the playing XI, reckons the competition is quite tough, but that won't stop him from pushing himself. "There is a lot of competition in every position in the Indian team and for the goalkeeper's slot, it's even tougher with Gurpeet Singh Sandhu, Subrata Paul and Albino Gomes. Gurpreet also has been performing well, so that puts a lot of pressure on me to perform, but I will carry on with my hardwork on and off the field," he said.
