By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

KUWAIT CITY: The waves of the Persian Gulf break on the shore, the tall Buildings, the next one taller than the previous, watch. Kuwait City is City of skyscrapers with wide yet quiet roads where with the latest Car Models glide past you. Honking? What is that? Even India U-16 boys ask.

As the Team Bus passes by the majestic Al Jaber Ahmad International Stadium, all watch in awe. You hear the shutters of the Cameras being pressed. “It’s a 250 Million Dollar Stadium,” locals tell you. “There are two helipads inside the Stadium for emergency and VIP movement.”

The Training Ground of the All India Football Federation’s Academy boys stay next door -- at the Al Nasr Club premises where three lush green turfs lie side by side. The spring in the steps among the boys is unmistakable, the camaraderie, spontaneous. This Team is not a stereotype.

“We have watched India and they are a good Team,” Bhutan’s Coach from Japan, Kazunori Ohara opined after Bhutan lost their third consecutive match against Kuwait. “We are in the process of building our side. But it will take time. The boys are learning at every step.”

The biggest challenge for India stays to shut doors on complacency. But Head Coach Goutam Ghosh isn’t worried. “We played well against Tajikistan in our first match and fared much better against Lebanon to register a facile win. We haven’t ever taught the boys to relax during a match. So there’s no question of complacency,” Ghosh tells www.the-aiff.com. “But it’s not time for any jubilation. The next match is day after and the boys need to eat and rest properly. There are niggles which need to be looked into.”

Midfielder Deependra Singh Negi, who had come in as a substitute against Lebanon in the second half had to be rushed to a local Hospital after he suffered from back spasms. He is fine now.

The preparation for Bhutan stays precise. With Bhutan noted down in the logbook, the boys are briefed. “People may feel we played excellent in our last match against Lebanon. I have been reiterating that’s our normal >

There were a lot of NRIs who had dropped in for the match against Lebanon, including notable dignitaries from the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. They went back impressed, discussing the >

“I reiterate, I have full confidence in my boys. I know what they are capable of. But they are young and almost every other Team has more physical presence than us,” Ghosh states. “Bhutan are passing through a transition like us. They didn’t have a good match against Tajikistan but played well in flashes against Kuwait. But we are ready for them.”

Will there be any changes? “We don’t want to break the rhythm. We are playing three matches in five days and besides being physically fit, they need to be mentally fresh,” Ghosh, looking into his logbook, pronounces.

Qualifying for the Final Phase of the AFC U-16 Championship stays the bull’s eye. But it’s one step at a time, one match at a time.

The beauty of the sport stays there is no loneliness. The U-16 wards always stay engaged in something or the other among their teammates -- minute after minute; hour after hour. There’s no pressure seeping into the ranks, they stay ready for the next performance.

The Persian Gulf, all blue watches; as do the Tall Buildings.

The kick-off at the Sabah Al-Salem Stadium on Friday (September 27) is at IST 7.20pm.