PANJIM: As India gears up to host the first U-17 FIFA World Cup and Goa, being one of the venues to host Group C matches, has boosted the preparations at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
According to sources, the FIFA delegation is expected to inspect the venue soon. Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee Javier Ceppi informed, “With less than hundred days left for the tournament, most of the facilities in Goa are in place with little finishing work left which we hope will be completed on time. The main concern has been the response of the crowd so far, as the ticket sales have been low. We hope that Goa picks up and that it justifies its status as one of the hotbeds for football in India.”
The first match in Goa will be played between Germany and Costa Rica on October 7 at 5 p.m. while Iran and Guinea will lock horns later in the day at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. Besides, the Group C clash between Guinea and Germany, Goa will also host a Group D match which will feature football giant Brazil and Niger.
