Maharashtra sub-juniors confident despite being in pool of death

Maharashtra sub-junior team Om Darekar (captain), Rajveer Gurav, Ayush Chavan, Aditya Lekami, Shreetej Pawar (all Pune), Aaryak Jadhav, Ayaan Maniar, Erwyn D’Souza (vice-captain), Jess Bhobe, Lebron D’Souza, Neville Pereira, Tanishq Pandya (all Mumbai), Akashkumar Yadav, Arjun Dhanawade (both Satara), Saksham Ingale, Vedant Narayanpure (both Kolhapur), Soham Patil (Thane), Atharva Tiwari (Jalgaon), Avanish Bhaigade (Parbhani), Bhagyesh Ulke (Amravati), Lambert D’Souza (Palghar), Rishabh Gupta (Bhandara) Head coach: George Lawrence. Assistant coach: Amit Salukhe. Manager: John Gonsalvez. Physiotherapist: Dinkar Thakare

Pune lad Om Darekar and Erwyn D'Souza of Mumbai have been named captain and vice-captain respectively of the 22-member Maharashtra team that will participate in the AIFF Hero Sub-Junior Boys National Football Championship to be held in Malda, West Bengal, from September 3 to 12.

The Maharashtra lads have been drawn in a tough group, alongside Mizoram, Odisha and Kerala, but head coach George Lawrence is confident his boys will give a good account of themselves. "We are indeed in the pool of death, where all the other teams are totally funded by their respective state governments. But I expect this team to learn and develop for the future. I do not have a target for this tournament. I want them to approach every match as it comes," Lawrence told mid-day.com.

Also Read: Federation Cup set to return after six-year gap, AIFF inducts five new clubs into I-League

The weather is expected to be quite harsh in Bengal with heavy rains making playing conditions difficult. "The weather conditions will be totally against us. The alternating heat and heavy rain can change the playing conditions drastically. Also, our team have been practising on the Cooperage turf while this tournament will be on a grass/mud surface," added Lawrence.

Speaking of his team's strength the coach said: "Our strength is our defence and that is what we will build on. We will look to attack on counters.

The Maharashtra boys will take on Mizoram on September 4, followed by Odisha (Sep 6) and Kerala (Sep 8).