ROUND OF 16 Unbeaten France eye Spain scalp
Guwahati, Oct. 16: On a roll with an unbeaten run in the group stage, former champions France face fellow European powerhouse Spain in a potentially high voltage round of 16 clash, here on Tuesday.
France entered the tournament only after a fifth place play-off match. But they have hit a brilliant run of form here though they were in a comparatively easier group.
The 2001 champions beat tournament debutants New Caledonia 7-1, then prevailed over Japan 2-1 before thrashing Central American side Honduras 5-1. Les Bleuets have scored the highest number of goals (14) in the group stage.
They now face their toughest test of the tournament in European champions Spain. Just five months back, Spain beat France 3-1 in the European U-17 Championship quarter-finals.
Star striker Amine Gouiri gave France the lead in that match before Mateu Morey, Abel Ruiz and Sergio Gomez had replied for Spain in a resounding victory.
Gouiri has been in excellent form in the group stage and is the current top scorer with five goals to his name.
Morey, Ruiz and Gomez are all in the Spanish side here and it should be an interesting tussle of supremacy between the two European sides at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium.
Spain came into this tournament as one of the favourites and are seeking their maiden U-17 title but have struggled to live up to the expectations so far.
La Rojita lost to Brazil 12 in their campaign opener and then beat Niger (40) and North Korea (2-0) to qualify for the round of 16 as runners-up from Group D.
Their final match against North Korea showed their attacking frailties as they needed a late goal to put the match away after taking an early lead.
The Spaniards dominated possession and repeatedly threatened the North Korean goal but had to be content with just two goals and the side’s finishing must be a worry for coach Santiago Denia.