"We can win anywhere," is the catchphrase of the under-18 Indian football team which returned to Kolkata on Monday following a victorious campaign in Wales, Britain, where they won the MM Trophy in the Ian Rush International Youth tournament on August 1.
The team beat one of the most fancied Brazilian teams, Botafogo FC's youth side, 3-0 in the final to lift the coveted trophy.
The Indian boys began the tournament losing to the same side 3-2, but lifted their game thereafter to blank Foothills from Canada 6-0 and draw goalless against another Canadian side, Calgiri.
In the semi-finals, the team beat Herefordshire Centre of Excellence 1-0 to earn a final berth against the club, which produced Brazilian aces like Bebeto and Denielson.
As the entire youth side stood for a photo session on arrival at Kolkata, they bubbled with energy and vigour despite a tiresome 40-hour journey, with the satisfaction of proving their mettle on the international stage.
"We can win anywhere," is what they all said in unision.
Dr Manabendra Bhattacharjee, who accompanied the side as the team's doctor, said: "They never looked like giving up. There was a certain arrogance in the team's attitude that came from the belief that they could win it."
Malswama, top scorrer of MM Trpohy with five goals, said: "This has certainly increased our confidence level. We know we can win. The fear of playing an international side is gone now. We matched them step for step. Of course the full credit goes to the coach who made us believe in ourselves."
Vimal Perrier, who is being called the future Baichung Bhutia said: "This has been a good exposure trip and has done our confidence a world of good. We know now we can match some of the top sides in the world."
Already tipped as a big occasion player this youngster scored two memorable goals in the final in addition to the three goals he had scored in the Milk Cup that the India U-18 team participated in earlier in Northern Ireland.
However, coach Stephen Constatine did not return with the side as he has gone to Europe to take part in the advanced coaching training given by UEFA.
Before the tournament, the India under-18 side participated in the Milk Cup where they narrowly missed a quarter-final berth becuase of an inferior goal difference.
In that tournament, after loosing to Preston North End of England 1-0 they went on to defeat the youth sides of Russian giants Dynamo Kiev and County Antrium of Ireland.
However, they lost 2-1 to a leading Argentinian side Riverplate and missed a quarter-final berth.
The team was received at the Calcutta Airport by AIFF secretary Alberto Colaco, IFA secretary Subrata Datta and a surprise visitor, East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick.
Bhowmick said, "I have come here to wish these youngsters every sucess. Nobody invited me. They deserve a heroes welcome."
The next international tournament for the team will be the Tata Trophy, which is an under-18 tournament with five participating nations, in Jamshedpur.
The team: Subrata Paul, Subhashish Roychowdhury, Habibur Rehman Mondal, Shubhash Mondal, Manju, Gurchinder Singh, Debabrata Roy, Jerri Jirsangha, Malswama, Gourmangi, Manjit, Sankar Das Roy, Bhola Prasad, Pravin Rawat, Vanlal Rova, Vimal Perrier, Marlanki Suting.
