AIFF Technical Director Scott O'Donell is happy with the performance of Indian colts at 2016 AFC U-16 Championship qualification but said his quest to select new talents for the U-17 World Cup will continue until the registration closes.
"I was extremely proud sitting in the stands in Tabriz watching the boys play, some of whom we have been working with for over two years. They have grown as young people and as Players. That is very satisfying. But once again, I reiterate, we have a long way to go," Scott told AIFF.Com.
"The scouting process will continue and we will not stop looking for Players for the U17 World Cup until the registration window closes. The door will remain open until such times," he added.
Talking about AIFF's scouting process for the U-17 World Cup Team, he said: "We are currently undergoing another round of scouting across the country, which we have broken up into three stages.
"The first stage will involve our scouts targeting those Schools, Private Academies and regions that have traditionally provided Players for our junior National Teams.
"Those Players identified, will join those boys selected by the State Associations for stage two of the scouting process. During this stage, at least one member of Nicolai's coaching staff will be present to select Players.
"For Stage Three of the scouting process, which will be when Nicolai will travel to six centres identified by him, where he and his staff will be there to make the final call on the selection of Players to join the World Cup squad.
