In a game that will feature the two most entertaining sides of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Brazil will take on England in the first semifinal in Kolkata. Having won all their games en route to this face-off, it is only unfortunate that they meet in the semifinal, rather than in the final.
Both teams returned to the City of Joy after the fixture was shifted from Guwahati because of poor pitch conditions at the latter. England played four group matches and their round of 16 game at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Kirangan stadium in Kolkata, and Brazil won an epic quarterfinal against Germany at the same stadium.
Brazil topped Group D beating Spain, Niger and North Korea before blowing away Honduras in the round of 16. The South Americans then faced the Germans in front of a boisterous crowd and used the ‘home’ advantage to overturn a German lead and finish 2-1.
Brazilian coach Carlos Amadeu shot down rumours that he had insisted on the change of venue, saying that he is not powerful enough to influence decisions made by FIFA.
Aware of England’s attacking threat, Amadeu called on his team to be alert when England are in possession, and can leave no margin for error.
Team England practising ahead of the semifinals | Salil Bera
“In recent times, England is the team we have faced most in youth competitions, so there is a lot of history to this game,” said Amadeu. “All their youth teams are very good and they are developing really great players. They are one of the best youth sides in the world.”
The South Americans boast of a strong midfield as Marcos Antonio and Alan have fed the fiesty attackers—Lincoln, Brenner and Paulinho—well in the run up to the semi.
England flew through their group stage by beating Chile, Mexico and Iraq, but was given a tough fight by Japan in the first knockout. The Samurai Blues were beaten on penalties—the only shootout in the tournament so far. Any hint of the country’s infamous knockout-phase frailties creeping up were wiped away when the team beat a rampaging USA 4-1 in the quarters.
Despite losing Jadon Sancho after the group stage, the likes of Angel Gomes, Rhian Brewster and Phil Foden have stepped up to knit a dangerous offense, while George McEachran and Joel Latibeaudiere have done their defensive duties well to halt teams on the counter.
Coach Steven Cooper expects the game to be a midfield battle and said his boys were delighted when they heard that they would be returning to the city.
Yet, there is no doubt that a majority of the Kolkata crowd will be backing the Samba boys. Cooper says that such an experience of playing in front of a massive opposition crowd will help his players learn to handle such situations as they grow.
“We are really proud to be here in the semifinal,” Cooper said of England’s maiden last-four appearance at an U-17 World Cup. “It shows that development is on the up, and it reflects the great work done back home.”
Despite Brazil’s dangerous duo of Lincoln and Paulinho wrecking havoc in previous games, Cooper says that he cannot afford to focus on two players because the Brazilians are creative enough to undo his team in other ways.
After flying from Guwahati to Kolkata last night, both teams had training sessions today in the evening after their press conferences.
The game will kickoff at 5pm in a city that has witnessed record attendance over the eight games played at the venue. The locals can count themselves lucky for getting to witness yet another blockbuster.
