#9 Nicolai Adam
The manager of India’s U-17 team has done a brilliant job this year with the young group of boys at his disposal. The Indian colts didn’t win too many games this year, but they showed enough signs of promise to encourage fans ahead of next year’s Under-17 World Cup that is to be held in India.
Adam has been instrumental in the way players like Boris Singh, Komal Thatal, Aman Chhetri and Aniket Jadhav have developed. India haven’t won too many games, yes, but they have competed in almost every game that they have played in.
The colts played 20 matches this year, and they played it in different conditions, which is ideal practice for them ahead of the big tournament next year.
Adam knows that there are challenges that lie ahead – for example, the fitness and endurance of the players. Especially in the AFC U-16 championships, India dominated the first half of games only to fade away in the second, with their batteries being completely exhausted.
But what is football without challenges? Adam knows it is going to be difficult, but these are challenges he has welcomed to make the team better and maybe make them get a result or two at the World Cup next year.
