World football -governing body, FIFA has expectedly briefed players and officials of Golden Eaglets about details of their itinerary at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

In a formal meeting at the team’s Double Tree By Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, a team of FIFA officials including General Coordinator, Mario Monterrosa, Dr. Yacine Zerguini (FIFA Medical Officer), Esse
Baharmast (FIFA Referee Instructor) explained clearly with video presentation the rules and obligations to be followed throughout the competition.

“There is a need to play safe and with integrity;  and this is always the objective of FIFA ,”said Monterrosa.” Of course, there is need to play clean and follow the rules of the game in true spirit of
sportsmanship and that is why this meeting is important.”

While Baharmast counseled the players on how best to avoid unnecessary cautions, Zerguini emphasized the need for players to safeguard their health by staying away from drugs not prescribed by team’s doctor.

“I want to advise you against taking any drug not recommended by your team doctor not even supplements some people would advise would allow you score 10 goals,” advised the vastly experienced Algerian who is one of FIFA’s leading orthopedic surgeons and also a member of Confederation of African Football (CAF) medical committee.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets on Wednesday began their training sessions ahead of Saturday’s opening game against the United States of America in the chilling spring weather in Chile with temperature swinging between 10 and 15 Centigrade.

The training session was held at the Centro Deportivo Azul (CDA) in La Cisterna district of Santiago- which is the training ground of the popular local side, Universidad de Chile- about 25 minutes drive from
the team’s Double Tree by Hilton Hotel camp.

Team Liaison Officer, Lucas Pablo described the poor weather condition in Santiago as unusual though it’s even expected to rain in the coming days.

“This was our first real contact with the weather in training here in Santiago but unfortunately it is even colder than Buenos Aires where we had our training camp,” noted coach Emmanuel Amuneke after
the evening drill where all the players participated.  “You can see that it’s difficult for the boys but irrespective of our circumstance and even the weather, we shall do our best and be ready for our first
game against USA on Saturday.”

The team, in the meantime, had the mandatory official training on Thursday at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago ahead of the encounter against USA.

Author: NFF Admin