It was a good year for the Indian football in 2017. Not only did the country successfully host its first ever FIFA event – the Under-17 World Cup – but the youngsters who represented India mesmerized critics and fans alike with their skills. India played the perfect host when the best young footballers came knocking for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the month of October. The year though started on a completely different note.
FIFA World Cup Dream
When India got a chance to show the world that it loves football, it did so in style. The tournament was a great success, with the host country getting rave reviews from the governing body, global audience as well as participating teams. England won the world title. They came from two goals down to beat Spain 5-2 in one of the best comebacks in summit clashes.
Group A consisted of India, Colombia, Ghana and the United State of America. Though India were supposed to play their home matches in Mumbai, they were moved to the national capital. Eleven boys from around the country were tasked with heralding in a revolution to steer India’s aspirations to a force in the ‘beautiful game’. India’s coach, Luis Norton de Matos, though was very careful about placing expectations on his young boys. Rather harping on the notion that the tournament is only the first step for India as a nation in the world of football. The stadiums in Kolkata, Guwahati, Goa, Kochi, New Delhi and Navi Mumbai were revamped according to International standards. Read: 5 reasons why Football is considered the greatest sport on Earth
Indian Football in 2017 U17 World Cup
Not much was expected from India, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, and they lost all their group matches to bow out early. But the players won admiration from all around for their fighting spirits and skills. Indian players managed to show the world that they are not that far behind in terms of talent.
In the first match, goals from Josh Sergent, Chris Durkin and Andrew Carleton helped USA defeat India 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. But three days later, they created history by scoring a goal against Colombia, even though they lost the tie 1-2. One had to be there in the stadium, when Thounaojam Jeakson Singh scored the historical goal. To believe how 48,000 Indian fans brought the house down in celebration. India’s campaign ended with a 0-4 thrashing by two-time champions Ghana.
Indian Football in 2017 (Senior Side)
The Indian national football team finished their year ranked 105th spot in the FIFA Rankings, but rarely has the position on the list reflected the year a team. The Sunil Chhetri-led team, for majority of the year, remained unbeaten throughout the year. Indian national team has not lost an international fixture since March 2016. A record 13-match unbeaten run, which in 2017 included seven wins and two draws. In the process, India qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the biggest continental tournament. Topping their play-off round group with two games to spare. This impressive run was reflected in their much-improved FIFA ranking as they touched a high of 96 in July before ending the year at 105. Balwant Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua were the joint top goal scorers with 3-3 goal each.
Indian Football in 2017 (Performance)
| 19 July 2017Match 1 | Syria  |
2–0 |  India |
Doha, Qatar |
|---|
| 21 July 2017Match 2 | India |
0–1 |  Qatar |
Doha, Qatar |
|---|
| 23 July 2017Match 3 | India |
3–1 |  Turkmenistan |
Doha, Qatar |
|---|
Friendlies
| 9 July 2017Friendly | Singapore  |
0–1 | India |
Choa Chu Kang, Singapore |
|---|
| 12 July 2017Friendly | Singapore |
1–0 | India |
Choa Chu Kang, Singapore |
|---|
Source: Wikipedia
6 young talents, made their debut.
- Jerry Lalrinzuala against Nepal on 6 June 2017.
- Nikhil Poojari against Mauritius on 19 August 2017.
- Amrinder Singh against Mauritius on 19 August 2017.
- Manvir Singh against Mauritius on 19 August 2017.
- Anirudh Thapa against Saint Kitts and Nevis on 24 August 2017.
- Salam Ranjan Singh against Macau on 10 October 2017.
The fourth edition of the ISL has become a five-month tournament, an increase from the previous three editions which lasted two months. The league also became bigger with the addition of two new teams. Bengaluru FC, two-time I-League champions, and the newly-formed Jamshedpur FC.
