‘It is time to get ball rolling’ – India U-17 coach outlines his ambitions after the squad was announced for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2022
The Indian Women’s Football Team for the FIFA Under 17 football World Cup 2022 has been announced on October 5, Wednesday. The World Cup will begin next week. The 21-member squad was announced by the Team’s head coach Thomas Dennerby. India are placed in Group A with USA, Morocco and Brazil.
India will face USA on October 11, followed by Morocco and Brazil on October 14 and October 17, respectively, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The other two venues for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 are Goa and Navi Mumbai.
The pressure is on the opponents – Thomas Dennerby
“It’s a new situation for everyone. India have never played the World Cup before. This is different ball game altogether. It’s a unique chance to show everyone that we have prepared well and will not allow anyone to run over us. Everyone wants to play the World Cup, but I can only select the best 21 in the squad,” Coach Dennerby said in a statement.
“When you are on the field, everything is held back behind, and you just have to focus on the game. That’s what the girls need to do. We are not going into the tournament as the favourites. I believe the pressure then is on the opponents,” the India coach added.
The coach emphasized the importance of performing well and doing their best on the football field, Dennerby said: “The performance is key for us. And I hope the girls are not much nervous and will play with confidence. You can’t be nervous and perform at the same time. It’s time to get the ball rolling.”
India squad for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, Melody Chanu Keisham, Anjali Munda, Astam Oraon, Kajal, Naketa, Purnima Kumari, Varshika, Shilky Devi Hemam, Babina Devi Lisham, Nitu Linda, Shailja, Shubhangi Singh, Anita Kumari, Lynda Kom Serto, Neha, Rejiya Devi Laishram, Shelia Devi Loktongbam, Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Lavanya Upadhyay and Sudha Ankita Tirkey.
