FIFA U-17 World Cup:Colombia U-17 team reached India
With the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup set to begin
in next two weeks, Colombia became the first team to arrive in India for the
tournament. The South American nation is placed in Group A and will play two of
their group matches in New Delhi and one match in Navi Mumbai.
Upon landing in New Delhi late last night, Colombia coach Orlando Restrepo said, “We’re delighted to be here. The boys and the staff are all looking forward to a competitive tournament where we will put our best foot forward”.
Upon landing in New Delhi late last night, Colombia coach Orlando Restrepo said, “We’re delighted to be here. The boys and the staff are all looking forward to a competitive tournament where we will put our best foot forward”.
Los Cafeteros will make their sixth FIFA U-17
World Cup appearance in India this October, though they haven’t played the last
three editions of the tournament with Nigeria 2009 being the last FIFA U-17
World Cup they took part in.
The CONMEBOL team secured their World Cup berth
by finishing third in the South American U-17 Championship that was held
earlier this year. Their arrival further amplified the anticipation for the
upcoming event, the first FIFA tournament that will be played in India.
Speaking about the first team’s arrival,
Tournament Director of the Local Organizing Committee, Javier Ceppi said, “It
is very exciting to have Colombia as the first team coming into the country.
With their arrival, the Tournament now enters
into the last stage, with the National Teams starting their preparations
actually on-ground to get used to the conditions in India. We encourage all
fans to welcome all the teams that will start arriving from now onwards and to
show the hospitality of this wonderful country”. Besides Colombia and hosts
India, the 22 remaining teams will be landing in India over the course of the
next 15 days.
Colombia Under-17 squad:
Goalkeepers: Nicolás Gómez (Deportivo Cali),
Kevin Leonardo Mier (Atlético Nacional), Daniel Melo (Liga del Atlántico).
Defenders: Andrés Felipe Balanta (Deportivo
Cali), Robert Andrés Mejía (Universitario de Popayán), Christian Andrade
(Millonarios), Thomas Gutiérrez (Liga de Antioquia), Juan Sebastián Peñaloza
(Liga de Antioquia).
Midfielders: Gustavo Adolfo Carvajal (América),
Luis Miguel López (Santa Fe), Yair Meneses (Envigado), Andrés Felipe Perea
(Atlético Nacional), Brayan Arley Gómez (Atlético Nacional), Guillermo Tegue
(Liga de Antioquia), Etilso Martínez (Liga de Antioquia), Fabián Steven Ángel
(Barranquilla FC).
Forwords: Déiber Caicedo (Deportivo Cali),
Deyman Andrés Cortés (Atlético Huila), Jaminton Campáz (Deportes Tolima), David
Barrero (Liga de Antioquia), Juan David Vidal (Barranquilla FC).