‘Brazil blemish apart, Spain are inspired and raring to go’
in heat and humidity but not them. They have been so fluent that Kolkata will hope they don’t have a bad day in the knockouts.
Jadon Sancho, Philip Foden, Callum Hudson-odoi, Joel Latibeaudiere should be names that will serve football well along with Mohammed Dawood, Diego Lainez and Amine Gouiri who takes the Fifa’s slogan ‘go for goals’ very seriously. Along with Japan’s Keito Nakamura, they have helped 36 games average 3.5 goals, something that hasn’t happened since 2005.
For the India team, this competition would have been an eye-opener as to how difficult the game is even at the under-17 level. But except for the second half against Ghana when they didn’t have the legs, India showed a lot of pluck. And with a bit of luck could have got their first point after Jeakson Singh made history. New Caledonia did that, against a second-string Japan, and somersaulted their way home.
NEW DELHI ROCKS
Nearly one lakh people fetched up over two India match days in New Delhi and that should count among the positives. The way New Delhi bought into India games could be something to build on if football really has to take over.
“When the right people come, it adds to the atmosphere and enhances the quality of football,” said Javier Ceppi, tournament director of the local organising committee.
True, like at most men’s World Cups, the story of empty seats got traction but it also showed that demand for tickets in this World Cup was way above the under-17 average. And despite empty seats, Angel Gomes, who kicks a ball at Manchester United, says he never expected so many people and Cooper feels the way India has reacted would be unheard of about a ‘development tournament’ in Europe. So, bring on the knockout rounds.
IRAN, THE ASIAN RUNNERSUP, WON ALL THEIR LEAGUE GAMES ALONG WITH PARAGUAY, FRANCE, BRAZIL AND ENGLAND. THE ASIAN CHAMPIONS, IRAQ, TOO GOT THROUGH FROM A DIFFICULT GROUP
Spain team that lost to Brazil in the final. That was the only time Spain played Brazil in U-17 World Cup competitions before both countries again met in Kochi on October 7. Losing the final at any level is always tough and the 2003 U-17 final was no different. Spain tried everything possible after conceding early. Brazil’s organised defence thwarted their attacks throughout the game.
Brazil have been one of the finest exponents of football for time immemorial. To play against them is never easy for any team in the world, leave alone Spain. In retrospect, overall it was a very good tournament, and I think it benefited the players who then went on to represent the country with pride and won many laurels too. Spain have qualified for the U-17 WC after eight years, so surely the team is raring to go. The team is coming at the back of winning the U-17 European Championship in Croatia so they should take a lot of encouragement from that. The current squad has a few new names but the core remains the same, so I believe they stand a good chance of making history.
Captain and forward Abel Ruiz has been in great form so the team doesn’t have to go too far to get inspiration. He showed his qualities against Niger. Having said that, I feel Carlos Beitia has also been solid at the back and created some good chances upfront.
Spain have produced many players who have gone on to become stars and legends of the game. But honestly, it’s not easy to be a footballer in Spain. The grind there is something you won’t see elsewhere. The moment you kick the first ball in life is when the competition starts, first to be the best in your family, then community, then school, then youth club then college and so on and so forth. And, then, there are only a few clubs that have youth systems to match the history of their club like Real Madrid and Barcelona, so for our country, it’s more like embarrassment of riches when it comes to footballers.
I can see a lot of passion for football in India too. The U-17 World Cup here will do a lot of good for Indian football. I saw a couple of their matches on TV, and they showed lot of guts and, mind you, there is enough talent out there.
This U-17 World Cup will change the world view of Indian football as well. The ISL is gaining popularity among European countries.
The ISL over the last three years has been able to ignite the passion among players and fans alike in India. If the ISL clubs start setting up academies like FC Pune City has, it will further strengthen the system.
SPAIN HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE UNDER17 WC AFTER EIGHT YEARS, SO SURELY THE TEAM IS RARING TO GO.