Panaji: When the world’s best young football talent is putting up a show, can the scouts be far behind?

More than 500 U-17 players are taking part in the Fifa U-17 World Cup in India and scouts from top European clubs are not losing out on the chance to see so many stars of the future under one roof.

For the opening matches in Goa, for example, there were 14 scouts present at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda with big English Premier League (EPL) clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal FC both heavily represented.

According to a source in the local organising committee, all scouts have to apply for match tickets separately. Those representing a Fifa member association – like the two scouts from the Chinese Football Association and one from US Soccer Federation in Goa – are eligible for tickets, while affiliated clubs can also send a maximum of two scouts to each game.

Besides the two leading clubs from England – Manchester City and Arsenal – there are scouts from Borussia Monchengladbach, SC Freiburg (both Germany), U.C. Sampdoria (Italy), Galatasaray S.K. (Turkey) and Futebol Clube de Vizela (Portugal).

Several scouts have also made their way to Kochi where Spain and Brazil will play their league matches.

“It’s a great motivation for all of us scouts from some big clubs will be watching us play. But, our top priority will always be to take Costa Rica as far as we can. The national team always comes first and then it’s personal ambition,” Costa Rica captain Jose Alfaro told TOI.

Alfaro had an evening to forget during the opening day’s clash against Germany. Dubbed Luis Figo of Portugal, Alfaro was substituted in the second half but he can catch the eye of scouts in the next clash against Guinea on Tuesday where a dozen-odd scouts are expected to attend.

Not every talent gets noticed though with Costa Rica presenting a fine example. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, now with Real Madrid, was rejected by local clubs and was never the first choice for his country at the U-17 World Cup in Finland 2003. Yet, he is now their biggest football export and probably the best current player from the CONCACAF region.

According to Fifa protocol, clubs or members associations looking to send their scouts should first send a formal request to Fifa. Those who get the nod get Category 1 match tickets which are always the best seats at the stadium.

ON A MISSION

Arsenal FC, Manchester City FC (both England), Chinese Football Association (China), Borussia Monchengladbach, SC Freiburg (both Germany), U.C. Sampdoria (Italy), Galatasaray S.K. (Turkey), Futebol Clube de Vizela (Portugal), US Soccer Federation (US)