the goan I networkrMARGAOrGermany, Brazil and Costa Rica. These teams are the giants of world football and the Goan football fans are eager to see the U-17 teams of these nations in action at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will be held in India in October, later this year. rUndoubtedly, soccer lovers in the State would savour the moment when they get to cheer for their favourite teams -- albeit consisting of the youth stars. However, the high quality of football that will be on display in the first global FIFA tournament that India is hosting, is something every football fan in the State yearns for. rThe State had sighed in despair when it was overlooked for the marquee matches of the event -- the semi-finals and the final -- of the nation’s first-ever football World Cup, but the draw that was held on last Friday should lift the mood as the State will host Group C comprising Germany, Costa Rica, Iran and Guinea. Fatorda will also be the venue for a match between Brazil and Niger on the last match day of the group stage before hosting three knock-out matches. rAnd most of the Goan football buffs are equally excited about seeing these team play at the Fatorda. “I am addicted to football and can’t wait to see the FIFA U-17 World Cup matches live at Nehru Stadium. I would love to be a part of the fan club and cheer my team,” said Angele D’Silva, a student of Regina Martyrum High School, Cuncolim. rMario Soares, Assistant coach of Salgacoar FC, said that the Wolrd Cup will put “our country on the global map and could help in building a strong national football team”. r“I think hosting the U-17 World Cup will raise the profile of the sport here. People who have not seen top-flight football live can now see the best players in the world, the best countries in the world competing. It can give the whole country a lift,” the former India midfielder said. “It (the event) will generate so much exposure. Definitely, the experience will help (in building a strong national team),” Soares added. rJovan Dias, a Salgaocar Juniors midfielder who participated in the Under-18 I-League, says: “Our country will see a brand of football it has not witnessed so far because of the mega event... It is a great moment to be a football fan in the country, as the best of youth national teams and players across the world will be coming here in less than four months.” rApart from Germany, some of the top footballing nations such as Spain, France, England and Colombia are going to compete in the tournament. When asked to give the odds for host India’s chances in the high-profile tournament, Dias was optimistic that the team could create history in their debut appearance in the global event. “I hope we can do our best, and we can create history in the tournament as this is a big platform for our players,” Dias opined.
