U-17 World Cup to open new horizons for Indian football: Van Basten

Kolkata, Oct 26: New horizons will open up for Indian football with the ongoing Under-17 FIFA World Cup the tion is hosting, Dutch legend Marco van Basten said here on Thursday.

Van Basten, now Chief Officer for Technical Development, FIFA, would watch the tourment fil at the Vivekanda Yuva Bharati Krirangan between Spain and England on Saturday.

Asked about the impact the tourment would have on Indian football, he said "football in India will get a new horizon with the U-17 World Cup".

One of the greatest footballers of all time, van Basten won the Ballon d'Or thrice, and was med FIFA World Player of the Year in 1992.

Van Basten said it was his first visit to the eastern metropolis.

On Wednesday, he watched the semi-fil clash between Spain and Mali, which the European tion won 3-1.

Commenting on the standard of the tourment, Basten said: "I can only say I was not so professiol when I was 16."

Comparing Argentine great Lionel Messi and Portuguese mega star Cristiano Roldo, van Basten said their rivalry was akin to that between tennis stars Rafael dal and Roger Federer. IANS