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Making Mumbai proud: Saurabh Meher and Gaston D'Silva are probables for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup

DNA profiles two city boys – Saurabh Meher and Gaston D'Silva – who have been shortlisted in India squad for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup

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Meher takes huge strides with baby steps

When Saurabh Meher started playing football at the age of 10, little did he dream of being one of the three players from Mumbai in the 22-member shortlisted India squad for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

To begin with, he just enjoyed playing football in the rain with friends from his neighbourhood Colaba. That, however, were his baby steps towards making it into the probables list for the mega event to be held in India next year. Now aged 15, Meher, who plays as a central midfielder, still can't believe what he has achieved over the last one year.

For starters, he has travelled with the U-17 team on exposure trips to Spain, Germany, Iran, Dubai and Bangladesh. Then, he scored a hattrick against Sri Lanka in the opening game of the SAFF U-16 Championship in August last year. He also scored a penalty in the final against Bangladesh, albeit in a losing cause.

“I never dreamt that football could take me to such places,” he told dna on Saturday while he was packing his bags join the squad in Margao for a training camp that begins on Monday.

“When I was selected (for the U-17 team) in August, I jumped with joy. At the same time, I knew that I had to be a consistent performer if I had to make it to the final team,” he said.

But Meher's football career hasn't always been rosy. His first hurdle in playing the sport professionally was trying to convince his parents to allow him to do so.

“They wanted me to concentrate on my studies. However, my cousin brother Harshad has represented the India U-17 & U-19 team. Only after he pleaded with my parents to allow me to play the sport, did they agree,” he said.

Once the nod came, his footballing journey took off. In Class XII, Meher joined Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) 2nd Division side —Sagar FC. “I didn't get a lot of playing time, but I got the experience of playing in league football and how to deal with pressure situations.”

During the summer vacation before Class IX, Meher attended a camp organised by PIFA (Premier India Football Academy) Colaba. It was here that he got proper training to hone his skills. His next destination was Bank of India. Impressed with his performance, Mumbai FC asked him to join their club in the following year.

“In a span of three years, everything good happened to my football. It didn't matter which team I playing for, I just gave my best,” he said.

Incidentally, Meher, who is a huge Barcelona fan, hasn't played any school football. He stays with his grandparents in Nerul, and attends the Rockhe Memorial High School in Manpur. His school doesn't have a football team but that doesn't matter for Meher.

“I know many boys start playing football for their schools from Class I. I didn't have that opportunity to start playing at a young age. I don't regret it, because I am where I want to be now,” he said.

Full name: Saurabh Meher

Age: 15

Position: Central midfield

School: Rockhe Memorial High School (Manpur)

QUOTE

I know many boys start playing football for their schools from Class I. I didn't have that opportunity to start playing at a young age. I don't regret it, because I am where I want to be now

—Saurabh Meher

From forward to wing-back, D'Silva is a complete package

One often takes the job of a wing-back in football for granted. But enthusiasts know the importance of a player who can sprint till the opponents box, deliver a cross and then track back to make a tackle or thwart a counter-attack.

Mumbai's Gaston D'Silva does exactly that. The burly defender, who can play on both right and left side of defence, has been a regular in the starting XI of India's shortlisted squad for the U-17 FIFA World Cup.

However, the 15-year-old hasn't always been a defender. D'Silva, a student of Don Bosco High School (Matunga), played his U-8 and U-10 matches as a centre forward. His school coach Leslie Machado said D'Silva is quick with the ball at his feet and could easily go past defenders because of his good physique.

When he played in the U-12 and U-14 teams for his school, D'Silva was asked to play as a right winger because of his fiery runs and ability to deliver pin-point passes.

“That child (D'Silva) was always the first name on my team sheet,” Machado said. “Because of his speed, we asked him to play as a winger. He has excellent ball control too. I think he will definitely make it to the final team for the U-17 World Cup. I've spoken to people in the know and they've given me excellent feedback about him.”

No wonder then that coach Nicolai Adam decided to play him as a defender. After all, D'Silva seems like the complete package for a wing-back — good with headers, fast with or without the ball, and someone who can centre the ball on demand.

Full name: Gaston D'Silva

Age: 15

Position: Wing-back

School: Don Bosco High School (Matunga) 

QUOTE

Because of his speed, we asked him to play as a winger. He has excellent ball control too. I think he will definitely make it to the final team for the U-17 World Cup

—Leslie Machado, D'Silva's school coach

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