Marcos Gonsalves
NAGOA: You can’t keep the Nagoa Village Panchayat ground out of the picture.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is upon us and eight nations from two groups B and D will vie for quarterfinal spots from matches to be hosted by Goa are gearing up for their age group’s flagship event.
When it comes to match-day, all roads will lead to the PJN Stadium, Fatorda. But mention practice games, Nagoa is an inviting venue as it has always been.
Ask FC Goa, Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters, all of ISL fame.
Word must have reached the management of the young ladies’ teams of New Zealand, Canada and Japan who will be seen in action at Fatorda.
The teams turned up at the scenic setting to play a friendly match on Wednesday as tune-up to the main event starting on October 11. The ground is maintained resourcefully. The panchayat maintains the ground sans high-tech equipment. But all who have treaded the pitch, incidentally of international size, have left satisfied.
Ironically, the Nagoa pitch hasn’t been approved as one of four training grounds to be used by teams in the U-17 World Cup.
New Zealand and Canada, however, have availed of the venue and its facilities for a friendly as they attempt to get into rhythm before the all-important tournament.
Japan, the third team here, will train here until, like New Zealand and Canada, they leave for official training venues stipulated by FIFA.
