On Monday, the New Zealand Under-17 football team arrived at the Mumbai Football Arena at the Andheri Sports Complex to inspect the stadium. This is the venue where the junior “All Whites” will face Brazil on September 28 and England on October 1 in warm-up encounters. With security guards surrounding the team, the players and coaching staff visited the swimming arena first and then made their way to the football field.
The team arrived in the city on September 22 and will feature in Group B of the upcoming Under-17 World Cup along with Paraguay, Mali and Turkey. Their captain Max Andrew Mata felt that the squad had the capability to make a deep run into the tournament. Facing Brazil and England before the tournament kicked off was the need of the hour, he added.
“I think the harsh reality for us is that this is the opposition we’re going to play when it counts. It is perfect for us. This is what we want. We want to play against opposition who is really going to test us because it is going to show us the true character of each individual and team collectively,” said Mata.
Preparations on in full swing
The 17-year-old striker suggested that playing such opposition was only going improve their chances further and also help them figure out areas they have to improve upon and playing in Mumbai will help acclimatize with the climate.
“It feels wonderful here in India. The field looks amazing and the stadium is looking cool. It is different compared to New Zealand but it is going to be an awesome experience for us, especially when you get the opportunity to play against an opposition like Brazil and England leading into the World Cup. It is going to be awesome for us and let us tweak few of our areas that we need to work on. The climate is different here as well,” said Mata.
However, it’s not going to be an easy run against Brazil and England and Mata hoped his team’s positive outlook would help them get past their superior opponents. “I think the outlook of the team at the moment is quite good. Goal scoring side of things is another positive for us. We are going to try and continue that. We don’t expect the same outcome but when we do get our chances we will finish them,” said Mata.
Kiwis taking to football
New Zealand has been a regular in the Under-17 World Cup, qualifying for the tournament six times on the trot. The captain opined that the outlook of the people in New Zealand has changed towards football over time. “Well I think New Zealand is becoming more football minded. Our under-17 side has the best coaching staff at the moment. We have got Danny Hay ex-all white captain as head coach. Chris Zorocich an ex-all white captain as assistant coach and Jason Batty ex-all white captain goalkeeper coach. It is perfect. It is just getting better and better leading into the World Cup qualifiers,” said Mata.
Hay was the coach of the squad during the 2015 Under-17 World Cup as well and that will only help the squad. “I think the best thing for us is that we can fully put our trust in Danny. He has been here first hand, he has seen it with his own eyes. Danny has been in the middle of tense situations, so he knows what it is like,” said Mata.
New Zealand’s schedule at the World Cup
September 28: New Zealand vs Brazil
October 1: New Zealand vs England
New Zealand’s matches against Brazil and England will have no entry charge and will take place at Mumbai Football Arena. People can witness the matches that will begin at 5 pm.
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