We are looking forward to an entertaining game of football against New Caledonia- Floyd Pinto
(Courtesy : AIFF Media)
The Blue Colts narrowly beat hosts Vanuatu in their first game in the tournament on Sunday.
After churning out an all-important win against hosts Vanuatu in the first match of the OFC Developmental Tournament, the India U-19 National Team is vying to continue their winning spree against New Caledonia. Incidentally, the Blue Colts will face the same Oceanian team who represented their nation in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 two years back.
Coach Floyd Pinto mentioned the game against New Caledonia will be "one step up" and the boys are looking forward to "an entertaining game of football."
"New Caledonia are the same team that played in the U-17 World Cup two years back. They are big and a physical team who are in good spirit following the big win against Vanuatu. We are looking forward to an entertaining game of football," Pinto said.
"It will be one step up from the first game & the boys are eager to take our game up," he continued. While analysing India's last win against Vanuatu, Pinto mentioned it was an important win given the fact that the hosts were "defending deep."
He said: "Our boys are playing with a great deal of confidence & focus and it was important for us to get three points. It's not easy to break down a team with eleven players defending deep but I was satisfied with the way they kept prodding away to, eventually, get the breakthrough. They nullified the opposition and broke into counter-attacks too."
He further mentioned, "We are working on making better decisions all. Better decisions lead to better actions which in turn creates more chances to score & keep clean sheets. All players are focused with the aim of presenting a better version of themselves in the next game."
With the SAFF U19 Championship knocking at the door, the coach aims to create a core team which will, in turn, garner positive results in long term.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]"With the SAFF Championships on the horizon, the aim is to get the core players playing together as much as possible to solidify combinations. After such a good performance, players deserve to keep their place in the team," he concluded.
The match against New Caledonia U-19 will take place on August 21, 2019 (Wednesday), with kick-off at 11.30 am.
Latest News
- Swami Vivekananda U-20 NFC: Manipur qualify for quarter-finals with draw against Odisha
- Cole Palmer returns to Chelsea training after missing midweek game against Arsenal
- I-League 2023-24: Gyamar Nikum named Best Emerging Player
- New England vs Inter Miami Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast
- Canada national football team contact Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Jesse Marsch over vacant manager job
Trending Articles
- Scouting Report: Who is East Bengal's bright talent Sayan Banerjee?
- Which clubs have won ISL Trophy in the past?
- Anju Turambekar appointed AFC Youth Panel Member to represent Singapore
- Hyderabad FC handed 'another' FIFA transfer ban
- Jahouh's domination and other talking points from Odisha FC's win over Mohun Bagan
Editor Picks
- All-Indian scorecard and other talking points from ISL semi-final between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC
- Which clubs have won ISL Trophy in the past?
- Anju Turambekar appointed AFC Youth Panel Member to represent Singapore
- Top five players with most away goals in UEFA Champions League knockout phase
- Hyderabad FC handed 'another' FIFA transfer ban