FIFA U-17 WC

Round of 16 day 2 preview: Heavyweights come to the party

prequater-preview

Confident France face struggling Spain

On a roll after three wins on the trot in the group stage, former champions France face fellow European powerhouse Spain in a potentially high voltage round of 16 clash, in Guwahati. France have entered into this tournament not as one of the four automatic qualifiers from Europe but after featuring in a fifth place play-off match. But they have been having a brilliant run of form so far in India though they were placed in a comparatively easier group. The 2001 champions side beat tournament debutants New Caledonia 7-1, then prevailed over Japan 2-1 in a close game before thrashing Central American side Honduras 5-1. The 'Les Bleuets' have scored the highest number of goals (14) in the group stages.

They will, however, face their toughest test of the tournament in the form of Spain, the European champions. Just five months back, Spain had beaten France 3-1 in the UEFA European U-17 Championships quarterfinals. Star striker Amine Gouiri had given France the lead in that match before Mateu Morey, Abel Ruiz and Sergio Gomez had replied for Spain to register a resounding victory.

Gouiri has been in excellent form in the group stage in India and he is the current leading scorer with five strikes to his name. Mateu Morey, Abel Ruiz and Sergio Gomez are all in the Spanish side here and it should be an interesting tussle of supremacy between the two European sides at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium. Spain have come into this tournament as one of the favourites and are seeking their maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup title but they have struggled to live up to the expectations so far. The 'La Rojita' lost to another tournament favourite Brazil 1-2 in their campaign opener and then beat Niger (4-0) and North Korea (2-0) to qualify for the round of 16 as runners-up from Group D.

England favourites against Japan in pre-quarters

With or without star player Jadon Sancho, in-form England start as hot favourites against Asian heavyweights Japan in the FIFA U-17 World Cup pre-quarterfinal clash at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Sancho, a vital cog in England's free-flowing wheel throughout the group stages, was only allowed to attend the tournament on condition that he would return to his club, German giants Borussia Dortmund, after the group stages. But from what has been on display over the last week, it would be naive to imagine Steve Cooper's charges struggling against Japan even if Sancho is not available. Barring Stoke City goalkeeper Josef Bursik, England have used all of their 20 players in three games underlining the depth in their ranks. The only chink in the Europeans' armour has been their defence with the backline of Timothy Eyoma, Joel Latibeaudiere, Marc Guehi and Jonathan Panzo unlocked in the space of few minutes by Mexico's Diego Lainez.

Coming to Japan, the Yoshiro Moriyama-coached side gave a poor account of themselves in their last group engagement, drawing 1-1 with minnows New Caledonia who until then had shipped a dozen goals in two matches. After coasting to a 6-1 victory over lowly Honduras, Japan were checked by France 1-2 with key players Keito Nakamura and Takefusa Kubo man-marked and their midfielders zonally choked. Japan played a second-string team resting nine players against New Caledonia but their meek surrender after Nakamura had given them an early lead was far from a good advertisement of their bench strength—a sharp contrast to England. Nakamura and Kubo would be the key players in Moroyama's scheme of things. In the other camp, the likes of Phil Foden, Angel Gomes, Rhian Brewster and George McEachran would look to continue their superb run upfront hassle free. Japan and England have never met before at the U-17 World Cup.

Iran look to continue momentum

High on confidence after a strong show in the group stage, Asian powerhouse Iran would look to keep their unbeaten run intact when they face Mexico in a pre-quarterfinal match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Goa. Iran have enjoyed a good run in this tournament, beating Guinea (3-1), Germany (4-0) and Costa Rica (3-0) to top Group C. Iran will, however, be without their key defender and captain Mohammed Ghobeishavi for tomorrow's match after he received a yellow card against Costa Rica, his second in the tournament. Younis Delgi and Allahyar Sayyad have been brilliant upfront as and have been involved in almost every chance Iran have created. Mohammad Ghaderi and Mohamad Sharifi have been lively in the midfield. Iran are good in the air and take advantage of the dead ball situations. And they are fast on the counter- attacks as well.

Two-time champions Mexico have not had a great tournament so far, considering that they came here as central American champions. They finished third in Group F and qualified for the round of 16 without a win—as one of the four best third-placed team. They earned the least number of points (two points) in the group stage among the round of 16 qualifiers. They drew their first match against Iraq (1-1) and then lost to England (2-3) before drawing against Chile (0-0).

Iraq face acid test against Mali

Last edition's runner-up Mali will enjoy an upper hand over a gutsy Iraq in a tricky pre-quarterfinal match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Goa. Two-time champions Mali have had a good performance so far though they finished runners-up in Group B. They lost to eventual group toppers Paraguay in a narrow 2-3 result but came back strongly to win convincingly against Turkey (3-0) and New Zealand (3-1) to finish with six points. The African side's speedy run down the flanks and stronger physique will pose a lot of threat for the Iraqi defence and it will be interesting to see how the Lions of Mesopotamia, who will be playing without their star player and captain Mohammed Dawood tomorrow, counter the Mali attackers.

For Mali, strikers Lassana Ndiaye and Djemoussa Traore have combined well upfront and have posed threats to their opponents' defence with their speedy runs but have been found wanting in front of the goal as they have wasted a lot of scoring chances. Attacking midfielder Salim Jidhou will keep the Mali offensive moves going along with Hadji Drame who look dangerous on either flank. The biggest concern for Mali is their defence which was exposed by Paraguay and it is to be seen how the Iraqis take advantage in the absence of their star striker Mohammed Dawood.

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