Error message

  • Notice: Undefined variable: node in include() (line 1 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/templates/page.tpl.php).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'field_feature_image' of non-object in include() (line 1 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/templates/page.tpl.php).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 1 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/templates/page.tpl.php).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 1 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/templates/page.tpl.php).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 1 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/templates/page.tpl.php).
  • Notice: Undefined offset: 2 in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 169 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Notice: Undefined offset: 2 in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 169 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Deprecated function: implode(): Passing glue string after array is deprecated. Swap the parameters in t18v3z5_preprocess_node() (line 189 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/themes/t18v3z5/template.php).
  • Notice: Undefined index: nid in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
  • Notice: Undefined index: nid in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
×

News

Did India's U17s Really Beat Italy's U17 National Team? Nope.

By Spencer Jackman May 20, 2017
Featured Image
As India gears up to host the U17 World Cup this October, news came out of Azzezo, Italy that the Indian side had defeated Italy's U17 National Team. Which, it turns out, isn't quite the truth.
@sportstarweb | Twitter

There is no doubt that the India U17 World Cup team earned an impressive road victory this week against a strong Italian side, knocking off the hosts 2-0.

There's just one problem with the narrative that arose after the match. The India U17s didn't actually beat the Italy U17 National Team. Instead, they played and won against a team comprised of youth players from clubs in Lega Pro and Lega Pro 2 (the third and fourth tiers of Italian football, respectively).

It was hard to discern this fact from tweets after the match by the official Twitter account of the Indian National Football Team & All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Governing Body of Indian Football.

We can't (and don't) blame the India U17s for thir exhuberance over the win. In the leadup to India hosting the U17 World Cup this fall, it is exciting to see the home country's team enjoy success. We have written previously about India's men's national team having a shot at qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

But it is disingenuous of the AIFF to publish the news as if the India U17s have just beaten Italy's U17 National Team. We don't pretend to know what the outcome of that contest would be, but we are certain the players on Italy's U17 World Cup side are not the same as the ones faced by India in Azzezo.

 

It's clear from the reaction of fans and celebrities that the news releasd by the AIFF was taken as a victory over the Italy U17 National Team. Take, for example, India cricket great Virender Sehwag's response to the win:

The Italian Football Federation (the FIGC or Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) has remained notably silent on the matter. But we imagine they are grimacing at the coverage on outlets like Goal.com who simply reported that the India U17's beat the "Italy U17 team" 2-0.

Despite the controversy, none of this really matters as it relates to the U17 World Cup in October. Italy won't be among India's opponents, as they failed to qualify as one of the five European nations. 24 teams in total will compete, with 16 advancing to the knock out round. If India can manage that, they'll surely make their country proud.

 

Games will take place in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Kochi, Margao, and Navi Mumbai. The final is in Kolkata on October 28. 

The18 Recommends For You

Bookmark/Search this post with

Videos you might like