Debutants Niger face stern Brazil test

Debutants Niger will have an uphill task on their way to qualification for the prequarterfinals as they take on three-time champions Brazil in a Group D clash of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup here on Thursday.

Niger had a dream start to the tournament when they won their opening encounter against North Korea. They, however, lost their next game to Spain. Having three points from two outings, they have to win to ensure a berth in the knockout stages but against a rampant Brazilian side who have won both their ties against Spain and North Korea to top Group D and make it to the knock-out round, their task will be cut out, reports IANS.

“It going to be a tough match against Brazil which we have to win in order to qualify for the knock-out round. We have the potential to overcome the three times champions and are looking forward to the challenge,” said Niger coach Ismaila Tiemoko.

Teams (from) Brazil: Gabriel Brazao, Wesley, Vitao. Lucas Halter, Victor Bobsin, Weverson, Paulinho, Marcos Antonio, Lincoln, Alan, Lucao, Matheus Stockl, Rodrigo Guth, Luan Candido, Victor Yan, Rodrigo Nestor, Vitinho, Yuri Alberto, Brenner, Yuri Sena. Niger: Moussa Laouali, Yacine Wa Massamba, Mahamadou Mahamane, Nasser Mahaman, Farouk Idrissa, Ismael Issaka, Habibou Sofiane, Kairou Amoustapha, Rachid Alfari, Karim Tinni, Djibrilla Ibrahim, Yacouba Aboubacar, Kader Aboubacar, Rachid Soumana, Abdoulaye Boubacar, Ibrahim Boubacar, Ibrahim Namata, Salim Abdourahmane, Hamid Galissoune, Khaled Lawali.