Argentina’s humility in victory at the COTIF Cup in Valencia left a positive impact on India U-20 coach Floyd Pinto, now back in Goa after a satisfying outing, personally and as a team. The Latin American U-20 squad overcame the shock 2-1 defeat to India and went on to emerge champions with a 2-1 triumph over Russia U-20 in the final.
Sergey Diveev put Russia ahead, only to see the Argentines, coached by World Cuppers Lionel Scaloni and Pablo Aimar, hit back through goals from Facundo Colidio to pull his team level in regulation time. Alan Marinelli struck in extra-time to seal the title against 10-man Russia — Gennady Kiselev was red carded earlier.
The India U-20 players were present in the Valencia hotel when the Argentines returned with the trophy. “We were staying in the same hotel for the entire tournament. Just as they returned after celebrations and before we left the place, Scaloni and Aimar were requested to speak to our boys, since both were senior World Cuppers,” he said.
Pinto revealed: “Scaloni and Aimar were very humble with us. There was nothing like they had won the title (after losing to India). Both were respectful and mentioned that after you (India) beat us, you were respectful towards us afterwards and did not create problems. There was mutual respect between both teams, coaching staff on both sides.”
The Argentine coaches were told about Indian preparations and that players from the India U-17 World Cup 2017 squad were kept together. “Scaloni and Aimar were surprised to know that India players stayed together as a group for a long period and wished for Argentine youth sides to come to India for tournaments,” said the Mumbai-based coach, in a chat from Goa.
India had outdone Argentina in the group stage despite being reduced to 10 players. Russia ended on the losing side in the final from the same situation against Argentina. “In the end, they won the competition which goes to show how good Argentina was,” noted Pinto. “It was good to sit with them, share meals and chat. For our boys, just observing the Argentina national team — how they carry themselves on and off the field — was good exposure.”
Pinto is an AFC A Licence holder, and ex-player-cum-coach at Kenkre Football Academy in Mumbai before joining the All India Football Federation panel of coaches. He was given charge of I-League debutant team, Indian Arrows, after Portugal’s Luis Matos left for personal reasons. The Indian Arrows is a product of the federation's development programme, with the nucleus from India u-17 World Cuppers.
