USA favourites on paper but on pitch it's 0-0 before kick-off, asserts Thomas Dennerby

The India head coach also spoke about the preparations the team has made over the months.

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is just a sleep away from unveiling its latest edition. The tournament will kick off with a Group A clash in Bhubaneswar between Morocco and Brazil and a Group B clash between Chile and New Zealand in Goa. Hosts India will play their opener at the Kalinga Stadium in the second match of Group A. This is the first time an Indian Women’s team is participating in a World Cup and the expectations are expectedly high. Head coach Thomas Dennerby and co will be hopeful of a positive outcome against USA.

Ahead of the game, India's head coach and skipper Astam Oraon addressed the media and shared their thoughts.

Preparation and expectation 

Head Coach Thomas Dennerby spoke about India’s build-up to the World Cup. He said that the preparation has been really good and the team is looking forward to the first game. “The prep has been good and we started in late Feb this year with a short break in April. Until now we have had 270 sessions including running, football sessions and technical meetings. 

“We’ve played some good games and we showed that we can play against some good teams. We were close to Sweden and are close to these teams as well. We are ready for the first game and looking forward,” he asserted.

Can INDIA qualify for the QF?

When quizzed about India’s chances to advance to the knockouts, Dennerby sounded confident that India has a chance if everything goes according to plan. “Of course. When we start the tournament, all teams have 0 points. We have to fight for it and it will be a great thing if we make it to the quarter-finals. 

"If we had our best against any team, we have a chance and we will fight for it. If India can have a good tournament and can go all the way to the quarter-finals, it would be the same feeling as taking Sweden to the bronze medal in 2011,” he asserted.

Home advantage

Dennerby was also asked if India has an added advantage on their side as the World Cup is happening at home. He said, “Of Course, it’s an advantage to play at home but I don't know how much impact will it make. Some girls can feel more pressure at home and some won’t. So, definitely, I think it’s an advantage, but after all, it’s 90 mins on the pitch that will decide. 

Injuries

The team has been training together for almost eight months now. Injuries are a part and parcel of the game and the scenario was no different for Thomas Dennerby’s side. He said that there have only been two major injuries throughout the course of the preparations.

“Since we started we have almost 45 players coming in and out of the camp. Anita and Pinku Devi are the only ones who have had an ACL injury until now. So, I'm happy it’s not more than two (laughs),” he stated.

Game plan

The head coach shared his thoughts on India’s first opponents, the USA. He said that on paper, the USA have an upper hand but everything depends on the on-field action.

“It’s going to be tough to score against us and if we manage to score, we have a chance. On paper, USA come into the game as favourites, but on the pitch, it’s 0-0 before kick-off,” he replied.

Astam Oraon’s comments

Preparations

The skipper sounded confident about her side’s preparations going into the World Cup and said that they have become really strong in the past seven to eight months.

“We are very excited and we have preparing really hard in the last seven to eight months. We have become very strong and will give our best,” she said.

Message to the fans

Astam urged the fans to come to the stadium to watch them play so that they can give their best for the nation.

“I’ll urge the fans to come to the stadium to support us so that we can play very well. It will push us to give our best and bring a smile to their faces,” she stated.

Support from family 

Astam also shared about how supportive her family has been and how much they have motivated her to give her best at the World Cup.

“I’m playing the World Cup for the first time and my family is very happy that I’m captaining India. I want to give my best for everyone,” she signed off.