AIFF XI keen to build on momentum

Left back Jerry Lalrinzuala’s World class free kick inspired the U-16 colts to script a much needed victory on the road after the two sides were locked 1-1. The trajectory of the kick was even applauded by the locals in Bandu. Earlier, AIFF XI striker Nurudddin Sameer opened the scoring two minutes into the second half only to see his goal being cancelled out by the hosts in the 75th minute.

The visitors on the other hand saw their campaign plummet fresh depths succumbing to a 0-9 defeat at the hands of Harimau Muda U-16 Team in their last outing.

But Head Coach Goutam Ghosh isn’t willing to go into such details and is keen on keeping his eyes settled on ‘development with every match’.

“With every away match comes the opportunity to explore new places on and off the pitch,” Ghosh who along with his entourage landed in Timor on Thursday evening after spending a night in Bali, an island in Indonesia, told www.the-aiff.com.

 “That we are travelling so much with back to back away matches is giving a feel to the Boys of how intense International Football is.”

 “Different conditions, different grounds, different places. All these at the age of 16 are part of development,” he added.

 On their opponents on the morrow, Ghosh said: “No team is a lightweight and they just had a bad day the other night. They will have a point to prove in front of their home supporters and we have to be on our toes.

 “The point from here on is to finish as high as possible sticking to the development mantra.”

 Timor Leste U-16 visit India in the last home game for the Boys on July 19, 2014.

 So far AIFF XI are fourth in the points table with 8 points from the same number of matches while Timor are one rung below them with 7 in their kitty from 8 outings.


Photo: AIFF