Heavyweights England have last 8 berth in sights

Kolkata, Oct. 16: Title contenders England will look to continue their scintillating form and go past the first knockout hurdle when they take on Japan in their pre-quarter-final of the Under-17 World Cup here on Tuesday.

Eleven goals in three matches and second behind France (14 goals), England could not have had a better start to their fourth U-17 World Cup campaign. They will now be eyeing the quarterfinals for the third time, and their first since 2011 Mexico.

England won the U-20 World Cup in Korea, made the Euro U-21 last four in Poland and then ended runners-up to Spain in the European U-17 Championships to qualify for this event earlier this year.

Having retained the Brewster and Callum Hudson-Odoi (1) — scored in those three matches, making them one of the more lethal attacks in the tournament.

Right back Timothy Eyoma, who missed out against Iraq with a double booking, is all set for a comeback in Cooper’s four-man defensive lineup.

Japan, who did not feature in the last edition, will also be eyeing the last eight for the third time, first since 2011. They have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals.

Hailed as the ‘Japanese Messi’ for his deft touches, Takefusa Kubo will be up against England’s strong defence and it will be interesting to see how the likes of Eyoma, Marc Guehi and Jonathan Panzo mark him from the right. — PTI