The first edition of the Brics U-17 Football Cup is scheduled to be held in India from 5 October, 2016 to 15 October, 2016. Five teams will compete in the tournament viz., Brazil, Russia, China PR, South Africa and hosts India. The teams will play each other in a round-robin format and then the top two teams will play each other in the final.
Participants: India, Brazil, South Africa, China PR and Russia.
Schedule, Timings & Venue:
| Date | Time | Fixture | Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 October 2016 | 4.00 pm | China vs Brazil | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 5 October 2016 | 8.00 pm | Russia vs India | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 7 October 2016 | 4.00 pm | South Africa vs India | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 7 October 2016 | 8.00 pm | China vs Russia | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 9 October 2016 | 4.00 pm | Brazil vs Russia | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 9 October 2016 | 8.00 pm | South Africa vs China | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 11 October 2016 | 4.00 pm | India vs China | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 11 October 2016 | 8.00 pm | Brazil vs South Africa | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 13 October 2016 | 4.00 pm | Russia vs South Africa | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 13 October 2016 | 8.00 pm | India vs Brazil | League | GKM Stadium, Bambolim |
| 15 October 2016 | 10.00 am | TBD | Third-place | Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao |
| 15 October 2016 | 3.30pm | TBD | Final | Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao |
The Indian U-17 team finished at the bottom of their group in the recently concluded AFC U-16 Championships. However, the youngsters certainly showed their calibre and proved that they can match the best teams at least in Asia.
India host the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 and the BRICS tournament serves as the best preparation under the circumstances. India takes on Russia in the opener at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on October 5, 2016.
As reported in the Times of India, China is reportedly sending their U-16 squad after disbanding the squad that failed to qualify for the AFC U-16 Championship. Brazil has not revealed their squad although they have confirmed that they will participate. Russia and South Africa are both fighting to qualify for the U-17 World Cup next year.
Also read: Sports Minister Goel unveils BRICS U-17 football logo
Russia and South Africa have had contrasting results coming into the tournament. While Russia beat Moldova and Latvia 5-0 and 1-0 respectively in the UEFA Euro U-17 Championship qualifiers, South Africa lost to Namibia via the tiebreaker in the COSAFA Under-17 Championships final.
Earlier, union sports minister Vijay Goel launched the BRICS logo along with AIFF president Praful Patel, general secretary Kushal Das, Indian legend Baichung Bhutia, director of scouting Abhishek Yadav, India under-17 coach Nicolai Adam and under-16 captain Suresh Singh.
The big match between India and Brazil is scheduled on 13 October, 2016 at the GMC Stadium Bambolim.
