Vinicius JuniorTwenty-four countries from six confederations will be vying for honors at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be hosted by India from October 6. The matches will be held in six cities across the country.
In this segment, we take a look at the team’s drawn in Group D, dubbed as the Group of Death.
The group is full of strong teams – Brazil, Spain, Niger and North Korea - who can beat anybody on their day. The feeling is that the winners of the Brazil vs Spain tie in Kochi on October 7 would top the group. However, given the fact that Africa has always sent formidable teams to junior world cups, it would not be surprising if newbies Niger upset the above-mentioned heavyweights’ apple cart. North Korea might also be bringing along some special weapons to make deep runs into the tournament.
Brazil
Nickname: Selecao, Canaries.
Past records: Brazil have won the U-17 title thrice, in 1997, 1999 and 2003, besides finishing runners-up in 1995 and 2005, third in 1985 and fourth in 2011.
Path to qualification: Brazil remained unbeaten en route to their South American U-17 championship title win. They qualified for the World Cup by winning seven matches and drawing the other two.
Strengths: The team is known for its trickery, fast flowing and attacking style of play.
Weaknesses: The team which scored 24 goals and conceded just three in this season has no obvious weak spot or missing piece. However, their opponents would be trying hard to expose Brazil’s vulnerability to counter-attacks.
Key players: Sixteen-year-old forward Vinicius Junior is the latest prodigy in Brazilian football. Alan Souza, who feeds Vinicius with deft passes, is also an upcoming star.
Coach: Carlos Amadeu took charge of the Brazil U-17 side in May, 2015, after successful stints with different age-group teams.
Expectations: The coach has made it clear that nothing less than winning the U-17 world title would do for Brazil this year.
Spain
Nickname: La Rojita
Past records: Despite winning the UEFA European U-17 Championships thrice, Spain have never managed to capture the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Runners-up in 1991, 2003 and 2007, they, however, have failed to qualify since finishing third in 2009.
Nacho DiazPath to qualification: Spain booked their ticket for India 2017 by winning another European U-17 title in Croatia recently.
Strengths: Energetic play and never-say-die attitude. Spain possess the technique, temperament, and tactics to overcome adverse conditions and they won’t give up till the last moment. The team's composure, especially when matches are pushed into penalty shootouts, is praiseworthy.
Weaknesses: The team's defense is suspect. In most of the matches they emerged victorious recently, Spain conceded easy and early goals. Most of the players come from youth academies of Real Madrid and Barcelona, so blending them into a cohesive unit will be a real challenge for the coach.
Key players: Nacho Diaz is the spearhead of the Spanish attack. The gifted striker has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time to score spectacular goals.
Coach: Santi Denia, a former Spain international and Atletico Madrid defender, is regarded as an exponent of attacking football.
Expectations: According to the coach, the tournament is very open and the results would come down to minor details in the end. The team is mentally strong, and is confident of playing some good football. Beating Spain would not be an easy task for the other teams. The team has the firepower to progress into the semifinals without much difficulties.
Niger
Nickname: Junior Menas
Past records: This Western African country named after the Niger River have never appeared at a FIFA competition in any age group.
Path to qualification: The surprise fourth-place finish in the 2017 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations secured them a place at India 2017.
Strengths: A bunch of high-spirited and determined youngsters. Their great character and positive attitude were on display during many closely-contested matches this season.
Weakness: Niger, who will make their debut on the world stage at India 2017, seemingly lack the experience and the big match temperament to win against stronger opponents.
Key players: Niger rode on the brilliance of marksman Ibrahim Boubacar Marou to enter the last-four stage in the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. He is somebody who can terrorize defenses with a combination of exemplary skills, electric pace and solid finishing.
Coach: Tiemogo Soumaila, a former captain of the senior national team and a defender par excellence which earned him the nickname 'The Emperor'. A national hero in his playing days, Soumaila has become a popular figure among the new generation as well by guiding the U-17 side to the World Cup.
Expectations: A pre-quarterfinal berth would be a great achievement for the debutants. For that to happen, they will have to at least hold Brazil and Spain to a draw and get past North Korea.
North Korea
Nickname: Young Chollima
Past records: North Korea's first appearance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup was in 2004 when they finished runners-up in the Asian campaign. They have made it to the pre-quarterfinals on three occasions – 2005, 2007 and in 2015.
Strengths: The team has some excellent midfielders who are good at winning the ball and making accurate passes.
Weaknesses: North Korea’s defense is said to be the worst among the Asian teams qualified for India 2017. The team will have to avoid committing silly mistakes at the back.
Key player: Striker Ri Kwang-Il.
Coach: Yun Jong Su, who had an illustrious international playing career, had been the coach of the senior team before taking over the reins of the U-17 side. He deserves special credit for guiding a team with such a feeble defense to the World Cup.
Expectations: North Korea will be applying the wait and watch strategy to overpower much-fancied opponents. If they manage to take early lead and hold on to it, they may progress from the group stage.
