After the FIFA U-17 World Cup draw on July 7, one fixture caught the eye more than any other. Brazil vs Spain in front of Kochi's famed football fandom. It is undoubtedly the tournament's marquee match. But it is more than that, as it could indicate how the tournament could shape up and who could be champions. Whoever wins this match, if there is a winner, will undoubtedly be the team to beat in this edition of the U-17 World Cup.
The match is also important because the winner is almost sure to top the group, meaning, they could get easier opposition in the round of 16. Moreover, the group winner's round of 16 fixture will be in Kochi, while the second placed team will have to travel over 3,000km to Guwahati.
With their dazzling skills in training, as well as their jovial attitude, both teams have been winning hearts in Kochi. The Brazilians are, as expected, more flamboyant. They surprised and delighted the crowd by inviting local academy kids to train with them.
The Spaniards have restricted their interactions to meet-and-greets and photo-ops. But unlike Brazil, who prefer to practice set pieces in seclusion, Spain's entire training session is open to spectators. The training matches they played were a treat to watch and the skill shown by the Spanish boys must have sent chills down the spine of the loyal Malayali Brazil fan. Also, Spain have not practiced set pieces in any of their training sessions. Clearly, they are looking to win the game from open play.
But Brazil is Brazil. It seems almost as if these boys were born to play the beautiful game. And no doubt, it will be beautiful. No other team in this tournament could have shrugged off the loss of a player like Vinicius Jr like Brazil did. “Vinicius was important, but we focus on the players we have,” said Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu at the pre-match press conference on October 6.
Many predicted that Brazil will depend on individual flair, but both the coach and the captain vehemently deny this. Captain Vitao Da Silva Matos said that the team is a very hard working unit and even the strikers contribute to the defence once they lose possession.
With Vinicius's omission, Spain's Barcelona B striker Abel Ruiz is now fixture's star attraction. Spanish coach Santi Denia said that the whole team would have to work together if team captain Abel was to perform to his best level.
Spain have never won a World Cup at this age group, coming close on three occasions only to lose out in the final. But Denia said there was no pressure on them. “We have never won the U-17 World Cup,” he said. “We will try to win it this time. It is a beautiful challenge.”
But it could be said that Brazil are going into the game with a slight advantage. As forward Lincoln Correa Dos Santos put it, "The weather here [Kochi] is similar to the weather in Brazil. So we have adapted to it very fast." The Spain team might have had a more difficult time adjusting and, as the match kicks off at 5pm, humidity could also be a factor.
Another factor that is sure to be playing on the minds of the Spanish boys are the events in Catalonia. When asked about this, the coach declined to comment and said that they are here to play football as a united country.
A draw would be a good result for both teams, but Brazilian midfielder Marcus Antonio has clearly stated that his team wants a winning start. Abel also asserts that his team are confident of victory.
No matter what the result will be, this match has inspired young local footballers like never before. “I want to be able to play like them,” said Hijaz P., a 14-year-old from Kozhikode and a trainee at the Government Sports Academy in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi. He played with Brazil when they trained at the grounds and two days later, he got to meet the Spanish team. A hardcore Brazil fan, Hijaz is confident that his team can overcome Spain's mesmerising passing game.
