The 2017 FIFA World Cup-bound India U-16 national football side take on the youth team of current La Liga leaders Villarreal in a friendly game in their exposure trip of Spain on Tuesday.
The Indian colts are getting to ply their trade in a host of friendly games, as German coach Nicolai Adam looks forward to deploying a formidable team during the World Cup, which is due to take place in India, in less than two years from now.
Following a decent outing that saw them finish second -- behind hosts Iran -- in Group E of the AFC U-16 Qualifiers last week, Adam's boys embarked on another exposure tour to Spain to take on the Spanish club sides.
The India U-16 side got past Elche U-16 with a 2-0 scoreline in their first practice game and then beat Hercules U-16 with a 2-1 score in their second practice match in Alicante.
Prior to the AFC Qualifiers in Iran, the Indian colts embarked on an exposure tour of Germany, where they played a total of 14 matches, which included games against the youth teams of Red Bull Salzburg, Frankfurt and Greuther Furth.
Adam's boys won eight of the matches and lost only four, while drawing two games. Their biggest win came against Rosenheim U-16, who the Indian boys overwhelmed by a 14-1 margin.
The Indian boys have already qualified for the AFC U-16 Championship finals to be held in Goa next year, as the hosts, but that didn't prevent them from putting on a decent display, when they finished second from the group in the qualifiers.
"It is extremely satisfying that the boys have qualified in their own right for the AFC U-16 Championships next year. Credit must go to Nicolai and his staff for preparing the boys so well," AIFF technical director Scott O'Donnell told the official website of the Indian FA.
O'Donnell also asked the boys not to get carried away, and keep their focus. "Don't get carried away. It is still early days," the Australian continued. "There is a long way to go and while it is great that the supporters are happy, it is important that we remain grounded and continue to support the boys," he stated.
"They are young boys and there will be some hiccups along the way but I liked what I saw in Tabriz. The boys are totally committed and focussed, as are the staff."
Where to follow the match
The practice match between India U-16 side and Villarreal U-16 side kicks-off today at 10:30pm IST, and it will have no telecast or live stream. However, Live Updates can be followed here.
