There is no doubt that the India U17 World Cup team earned an impressive road victory this week against a strong Italian side, knocking off the hosts 2-0.
There's just one problem with the narrative that arose after the match. The India U17s didn't actually beat the Italy U17 National Team. Instead, they played and won against a team comprised of youth players from clubs in Lega Pro and Lega Pro 2 (the third and fourth tiers of Italian football, respectively).
It was hard to discern this fact from tweets after the match by the official Twitter account of the Indian National Football Team & All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Governing Body of Indian Football.
Dance the night away! A historic feat as #India U17s defeat #Italy U17 2-0. A historic feat for all #Indians. #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/bfduCPOc49
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) May 19, 2017
We can't (and don't) blame the India U17s for thir exhuberance over the win. In the leadup to India hosting the U17 World Cup this fall, it is exciting to see the home country's team enjoy success. We have written previously about India's men's national team having a shot at qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
But it is disingenuous of the AIFF to publish the news as if the India U17s have just beaten Italy's U17 National Team. We don't pretend to know what the outcome of that contest would be, but we are certain the players on Italy's U17 World Cup side are not the same as the ones faced by India in Azzezo.
It's clear from the reaction of fans and celebrities that the news releasd by the AIFF was taken as a victory over the Italy U17 National Team. Take, for example, India cricket great Virender Sehwag's response to the win:
Yaay ! We have beaten Italy.
Congratulations to the under 17 @IndianFootball on the spectacular victory. Italy ki idli ban gayi !— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 19, 2017
The Italian Football Federation (the FIGC or Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio) has remained notably silent on the matter. But we imagine they are grimacing at the coverage on outlets like Goal.com who simply reported that the India U17's beat the "Italy U17 team" 2-0.
Despite the controversy, none of this really matters as it relates to the U17 World Cup in October. Italy won't be among India's opponents, as they failed to qualify as one of the five European nations. 24 teams in total will compete, with 16 advancing to the knock out round. If India can manage that, they'll surely make their country proud.
Games will take place in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Kochi, Margao, and Navi Mumbai. The final is in Kolkata on October 28.
GOAL!!! India U17 2-0 Italy U17 2nd HALF - Rahul's Goal https://t.co/w49qfcTs2f via @YouTube
— hrishi (@ruudyroon) May 19, 2017
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