When the FIFA U-17 World Cup draw took place on July 7, Indians watching the event heaved a sigh of relief. The host country had avoided the European powerhouses. Colombia, it seemed, was the only threat.
Nothing could be further from the truth. India will go head-to-head against three immensely strong teams, Colombia being the least threatening. But if Leicester City could win the Premier League (that analogy is never going to grow old), don’t count India out already.
In Ghana and USA are two teams that are billed to progress. If India hopes to put up a good show in their first-ever FIFA event, the little David will have to start by stopping these two Goliaths in their group stage.
Team previews
India
Coach: Luis Norton de Matos
Home advantage has never been more crucial in a football game. India, which qualified as hosts, will be desperately hoping to contain the biggies by seeking motivation from the crowd.
The team has toured the world, honing their skills for an opportunity of a lifetime, but the results of games played have not provided enough to judge the team’s current standing. There have been big wins (3-0 victory over Mauritius) and bigger losses (5-1 loss to Mexico).
India got to play group stage opponent Colombia in August, which ended in a 3-0 loss for the Blue Colts.
In the eight months he got with the team, coach de Matos has tried his best to instill a possession-based game to his side, and will rely heavily on captain Amarjit Singh and Suresh Singh Wangjam to dictate play in midfield.
India’s U-16 Asian Championship outing last year saw the team crash out in the group stage. With the teams they are up against, only a miracle will see India through.
Ghana
Coach: Paa Kwesi Fabin
African countries always seem to outmuscle the others in this age group of the game. Ghana is no different. The country has won the title twice and finished runner up twice. The senior team has managed to make it only to the quarterfinal of the senior World Cup.
This Ghanaian team made it to the World Cup by reaching the final of the 2017 African Cup of Nations, which it lost to Mali.
In captain Eric Aiyah, the country has one of the most feared teenage strikers. He scored four goals in the first two games of the AFCON U-17.
Classic counter-attacking is the team’s forte, with robust and quick attackers on the wings. Their direct style of play should trouble defences.
Fabin has been in charge since 2011. Despite holding the post for six years, this will be his first World Cup.
The team failed to qualify for the last three editions of the biennial event, but the AFCON performances this year hinted at a return of the glory days.
USA
Coach: John Hackworth
All eyes are on one lad: Josh Sargent, who becomes only the second USA player to play in both the U-20 and U-17 World Cups in the same year. He finished as the second top scorer at the U20 event and is expected to be this tournament’s player to watch.
But the team is not entirely reliant on this sharp shooter. The squad breezed through the CONCACAF U-17 Championship this year, only to be defeated by Mexico in the final. Watch out for players like goalkeeper Justin Garces and Chris Durkin, who shot to fame through their exploits in the continental event.
John Hackworth, known for his free-flowing brand of football, has a side that can strike down opponents with pinpoint set-pieces.
Though the country is among the favourites to shine this time round, its best result is a fourth-place finish in 1999.
Colombia
Coach: Orlando Restrepo
One may be familiar with names like James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, but the U-17 Colombian team has been underwhelming in the tournament’s history.
This is the team’s sixth appearance and managed to scrape through the 2017 CONMEBOL U-17 championship to make it to the World Cup.
Restrepo has often been criticised for not having a philosophy or a consistent style of play, which leaves players confused. The midfield usually dominates play and will look to Yadir Meneses, playmaker, to take on the ‘James-Rodriguez’ role.
The country’s last appearance was in the 2009 edition where the team finished third. Ever since, the youth team has kept a low profile before the South American tournament this year.
Though the team is error prone, it has midfielders that sometimes rocket in goals from outside the box, and that will be one of the reasons for opposition goalkeepers to remain vigilant when Colombia are in possession.
Fixture
Usually, in most sporting tournaments, the host nation gets to play the opening match. FIFA, instead, scheduled India's first game, against USA, to be played at 8pm, while Chile and Colombia will meet in the first match of the day at 5pm. This was done to attract maximum eyeballs for India's match, as 8pm is primetime for television viewers.
India will kick off their campaign against the USA tonight, while Ghana take on Colombia. Five of this group’s games will be played in New Delhi, while one game will be in Mumbai. The group fixtures are as follows:
Oct 6:
Ghana vs Colombia (5pm)
India vs USA (8pm)
Oct 9:
Ghana vs USA (5pm)
India vs Colombia (8pm)
Oct 12:
India vs Ghana (8pm)
USA vs Colombia (8pm)
