FIFA U-17 World Cup: Virat Kohli’s message to U-17 football team is stealing hearts — WATCH

This is a big opportunity for India to showcase what they have in terms of football

By: Score Keepers |
October 3, 2017 10:40 am

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has a special message for the Indian U-17 football team, who are on the cusp of creating history. India will play host to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. This is the first time India is hosting a football tournament of such magnitude. Hence, it is an opportunity for the young boys to showcase what Indian footballers can do at the world stage.

In a 15-second video on his official Twitter handle, Kohli said, “Our U-17 boys are taking part in the U-17 FIFA World Cup which starts on October 6. Their first match is against team USA.”

“I would like to wish them all the very best for the first game and the rest of the tournament. Go, get it boys, make us proud,” he added.

India are drawn in a tough Group A along with former champions Ghana, Colombia and United States of America.

The Indian Colts face USA on October 6, before locking horns with Colombia and Ghana on October 9 and October 12 respectively at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

It is going to be a great event and will provide India with an opportunity to figure out the loopholes and where India stands when it comes to playing football. This tournament will also help the country improve upon their sports infrastructure and increase the sport’s fanbase in the country.

Good Luck boys, make us proud! _ #BackTheBlue #FifaU17WC @indianfootball pic.twitter.com/RlqdgN0w7n

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 2, 2017

On the other hand, the Indian cricket team is on a roll after defeating Australia 4-1. Now Virat Kohli and his boys will get ready for the 3 T20I’s versus the visitors.

The 21 selected players for the U-17 team are as follows:

Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh, Prabhsukhan Gill, Sunny Dhaliwal

Defenders: Boris Singh, Jitendra Singh, Anwar Ali, Sanjeev Stalin, Hendry Antonay, Namit Deshpande

Midfielders: Suresh Singh, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Abhijit Sarkar, Komal Thatal, Lalengmawia, Jeakson Singh, Nongdamba Naorem, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Md. Shahjahan