U-17 Women's World Cup: India face USA in opener

History beckons Indian girlsBHUBANESWAR: "Yes, we'll try to get enough rest tonight (Monday) so that we can give our best tomorrow (Tuesday)," said India captain Astam Oraon when asked if she would be able to sleep on Monday as the U-17 women's team stood on the cusp of history. On Tuesday, the hosts will script a new chapter in Indian women's football when they take on the US in their first match of the twice-postponed FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup here at Kalinga Stadium.

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Gorratoli will have scored a goal when its daughter Astam Oraon takes the field on Tuesday, whatever the outcome.

Placed in Group A - the only group with each team representing a different continent - the Astam-led side is aware of the task at hand. But coach Thomas Dennerby, who has been at the helm since 2019 and has witnessed the core group change due to the deferment of the event, feels the current squad is ready for the challenge. "Our preparations started in late February and barring a short break for the girls' exams, we have had several and varied training sessions and technical meetings. They have developed a lot through all of these," Dennerby said at the press conference on Monday. "On our last trip to Spain, we played Sweden in an equally-poised game. Now, if we can match Sweden, we can match anyone on a given day."

On Tuesday, the U-17 girls will have the advantage of home support, which can also be construed as 'pressure' by the young footballers on the verge of representing the aspiration of a billion-strong nation. Their captain, however, does not consider that a problem. "Mentally, we are very strong today. We are staying positive and not