MARGAO: With just 15 days for the kick-off, Team India U-17 World Cup Coach Luis Norton de Matos is busy testing his squad to find the perfect XI to represent in Nation’s first ever World Cup match. Matos expressed importance of ‘collective team’ effort than individual glory as India played their last international friendly against Mauritius U-17 team on Thursday. EXCERPTS
Herald: Did the players manage to impress you and make the best out of the friendly matches?
Luis Norton de Matos: These matches are very important for us. To have an international game that too against a big team like Mauritius before the World Cup is equally important for the players. It helped them to gain match experience and also helped me to take a note of some good performances.
H: Is there a possibility that the team that started the game against Mauritius will be your first choice team. Explain.
Matos: No. We wanted to watch all the players and that is why we put two teams. It is not because the team that played the first half will play against United States. We have a philosophy of the game which is interpreted by the players. But our style of play is the same. This match wasn’t easy. The field (of play) was not easy because we wanted to build the game through the corridors (flanks). Their (Mauritius) concentration was not as good as ours. It was normal for us to win the game.
H: Every team has a star, could you name few stars in the Indian team?
Matos: I never speak about individual names. It is the team that is important for me. Of course, in all games there are players that have played better than others. In the next game, they might be less good, tomorrow they might play better. For me the important thing is the collective team, possession, performance and organisation of the team. When they lose the ball, I look for a lot of things that may not sometimes be perceptible to the public.
H: With over fortnight to go, what’s the most concerned area in the team ahead of the first match against USA?
Matos: It is fitness that is most important thing and not any area. The tactical work is also very important but the physical condition is equally important because we have only three substitutions in the World Cup and at least six or seven players must play the 90 minutes. I’m confident about my players that all of them can do that.
H: Boris Singh will miss the opening clash against US after he picked up red card in the last match of the AFC U-16 Championship against Iran last year. Is this a worry?
Matos: When I took over India, I knew that Boris was suspended for a match and wasn’t available for the first match. I’m happy he can be in the group as he will be available to play for the next two group matches.
H: Are you happy with Team India’s 3-0 win against Mauritius?
Matos: For me, the victory of this game was that we managed to finish the game without any injuries. It was my main concern for the game because the field was difficult to play and there were possibilities to have a lot of shocks. It was a lot physical than expected. But we never lost the concentration and scored as there were enough possibilities to score and win the game.
H: What is the current condition of the players and their confidence?
Matos: We have 15 days for the World Cup and I feel this is enough to improve the playing conditions and the confidence of the players. The players have been together for some months now. I have faith in my players. I have seen them playing for almost six months and the improvement they have shown is more than expected. I have confidence in them and I’m sure they are going to give their 100 per cent for the country.
