Praful Patel Biography

The Indian U-17 World Cup team is on an exposure trip to South Africa. With the U-17 World Cup to be held in India in the year 2017, the team is on a very good exposure format and currently touring the Rainbow nation. The All India Football Federation has taken several important measures for the development of the sport in the country.  In the current outing which is going on in the Rainbow nation, the squad is facing the South African Black Aces. 

Under the Praful Patel biography, the youngsters who wants to pursue the game of football in India has been provided with a very good exposure right from the root level. 

After winning by a commanding margin, 5-2, versus Supersport s United, the Blues headed into this game in confidence. The Young Tigers had lost their first game in the African continent. With this game Nicolai Adams' team's record has a loss, a win and a draw respectively.

However, they found themselves trailing to a 32nd minute Aces goal, much against the run of play. The game could've been put to bed in the final winks of the first half, as the home team were awarded a penalty. But custodian Dheeraj ensured the deficit remained just one goal, with a superb save, as the teams headed into the interval. 

The second half began with the Indians went full gusto for the equalizer and nearly had a breakthrough in the 51st minute, as Sanjeev's excellent free-kick was just about dealt with by the South African defense. 

There would be no denying the Indians in the 66th minute though. A superb through-ball by Suresh, saw attacker Komal capitalize on slack defending and punish the Aces for a richly deserved equalizer for the Indian team. Even though the Indian U17s dominated the remainder of the game, they were unable to further inflict damage on the scoreline, with the referee's final whistle. 

As the AIFF President Praful Patel has provided a huge impetus to Indian football and works on a regular basis at all levels for its improvement.