Early mistakes cost us the game against USA: Dennerby

We played the best team so far and it was really tough for us. We weren’t confident enough to pass the ball or build up and they did some early mistakes into the game which really impacted our performance.- Thomas Dennerby, Head coach of India

Head coach of India, Thomas Dennerby (Photo by Tom Dulat – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Khel Today Bureau

BHUBANESWAR: After going down to USA in their first match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022, Thomas Dennerby, Coach Indian U-17 World Cup team feels early mistakes into the game cost India dear.

“I believe the girls were a bit too nervous in front of the opponents. It was their first World Cup game – they couldn’t handle the pressure. It’s very hard to control emotions at this level and against such rivals” he stated at the post-match press conference.

“We played the best team so far and it was really tough for us. We weren’t confident enough to pass the ball or build up and they did some early mistakes into the game which really impacted our performance”, Dennerby added.

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA – OCTOBER 11: Babina Lisham of India competes for the ball with Mia Bhuta of USA during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 Group A match between India and USA at Kalinga Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Bhubaneswar, India. (Photo by Angel Martinez – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images). 

India went down 0-8 in their first match of the U-17 Women’s World Cup and captain Astam Oraon admitted what went wrong against USA and said, “Yes, we know we weren’t good enough infront of them, their speed, high pressing tactics – everything was so strong.”

“We have learnt a lot from the game and will work on our areas where we are weaker to give a better performance in our next game”, she added.

When Coach was asked about how he will motivate the players from the loss, he mentioned, “The face of the coach is also the face of the player. So I will be smiling and supporting them the best way I can.I spoke to the girls in the locker room and said –‘Girls, the sun will come out anyway and we will have a new morning’. We have to accept the loss and come back even more stronger.”