The India U-20 football team’s coach has said that victory over Argentina will earn India more respect.
India beating football powerhouse Argentina 2-1 in the U-20 COTIF Cup on Sunday has grabbed the attention of fans, many of whom are hailing it as a giant-killing act. The Indian squad’s coach, Floyd Pinto, believes this is a big moment. “This victory will definitely earn Indian football more respect in the world of football,” he said on Monday.
His words will be music to the ears of Indian football fans craving for the country’s rise in the football pecking order, but a reality check is in order.
In May 2017, India’s U-17 side defeated Italy 2-0 in the build-up to the World Cup at home. However, the buzz died a bit after it surfaced that the Italians had fielded a makeshift U-17 team. The team comprised players from Italy’s third and fourth divisions, and did not have the same class as its first-choice team.
At the COTIF Cup in Spain, Argentina had qualified for the semifinals, with three wins, before it met India on Sunday. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni overhauled his entire starting XI for the match. India grabbed its chances. Even an experimental Argentine side is not to be trifled with.
