Former England striker Gary Linekar once famously said: “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” Well, tell that to the Iran U-17 team. The poor lads clearly did not know that you are 'not supposed' to beat Germany 4-0. The Germans looked truly lost in that match on October 10 and it set the tone for the group.
Before that, on the first matchday, Iran had beaten Guinea 3-1 and on October 13, they brushed aside Costa Rica 3-0. The reward that Iran get for doing so well is that they get to face one of the third placed teams—easier opposition on paper—in the round of 16. They also do not have to travel, as the group champions in all groups, except A and B, get to play their round of 16 match in the cities they are camped in. But as things stand, Iran are most likely to face the third-placed team from Group F—Mexico or Iraq—which is not exactly easy opposition.
But the Iranians will be hoping to carry their imperious form into the pre-quarters and progress to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time in their history.
Cut to Germany. An unimpressive start against Costa Rica, but a win (2-1) nonetheless. Then the dismal show against Iran and a hard fought 3-1 win against Guinea to save them from being also-rans. Not exactly what one would expect from a German team. But there is a touch of class about them and if they find their feet, they could still do well in this tournament. They will play in the first knockout match of the tournament against Colombia in Delhi on October 16. It will not be easy as the Colombians have acclimatised to Delhi, having played all their group matches there, whereas, Germany has played in Goa and Kochi and will have to travel about 3,000km north to Delhi.
In the group's do-or-die match at Kochi, the Guinean attack cut through the German defence like knife through butter. The Africans were unlucky not to win and secure themselves a berth in the knockout stages. They are third, but with just one point so far they are unlikely to progress, unless Mexico suffers a shock defeat in Kolkata.
It was never going to be easy for Costa Rica. They fought hard against Germany and earned a draw against the electric Guineans. But they had to beat Iran in the third match to stand a chance of progressing and it was not to be. They will go back having earned the one point they got and with the satisfaction of having made things difficult for the mighty Germans.
