Kolkata: Tournament favourites England and France continued their dominance in the U-17 World Cup as both raced to the knock-out rounds of the tournament with comprehensive wins against their respective opponents. Playing their final match of Group F at the Vivekanada Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday, the Three Lions saw out an impressive Iraq defeating them 4-0 with goals from Angel Gomes, debutant Emilie Smith Rowe and a brace from Daniel Loader, who replaced Phil Foden in the line up.
The U-17 Euro runners-up started off from where they had left as captain Angel Gomes starting for the first time in the world Cup put Engalnd ahead in the 11th minute of the match. The Manchester United academy graduate also set up England’s second in the 57th minute after a one – two with S. Rowe, who timed his timed his run to perfection to double the lead.
Another such attack in the 59th minute saw Daniel Loader, make it 3-0 while he scored a brace in the 71st minute to hand England a comfortable win. The young colts in white will now take on Japan in Kolkata on October 17.
Mexico vs Chile
Both sides needed a win by a big margins to finish among the top two sides from group F, but Chile played out a draw with Mexico in a game that saw La Rojita play a defensive game at the back with five defenders throughout the match, a rare sight in South American football. Courtesy the draw Chile who were hoping to cheer up the fans back home after the heart-breaking loss which saw the senior team crush out of the World Cup qualifiers, will now return home with a solitary point. Mexico on the other hand with two points from three matches finished as one of the four best third placed nation.
Mexico hurled a series of attacks but could not break the Chile defence with El Tri’s best chance coming in the 24th minute when Diego Lainez’s curled free-kick beat the Chile wall but could not escape the stretched hand of Diego Borquez. Another chance in the dying minutes of the game saw Roberto de la Rosa hit the cross bar that missed the goal by a whisker.
Mexico however now face the mighty Iranians who have defied the underdogs status, to finish as toppers from Group C, scoring 10 goals that includes four against Germany while conceding only one.
Group E
France vs Honduras
Having already qualified for the round of 16 Les Bleus took the field with nine new faces in the starting line-up with many stars rested considering the heavy-weight knock-out match against Spain in Guwahati on October 17.
Honduras drew the first blood through Carlos Mejia and it was enough for Frnace to start another goal scoring fest who saw them score five past Honduras. Wilson Isidor, Amine Gouiri and Yacine Adli all scored a goal each while debutant Alexis Flips found the net twice for Frnace.
However, with Japan drawing against New Caledonia, Honduras qualified despite the loss and will face South American Giant Brazil at the Nehru stadium in Kochi on October 18.
Japan vs New Caledonia
Japan just like France tested their bench strength bringing in as many as nine players in the 1-1 draw against New Caledonia. Keito Nakamura gave them the lead in the seventh minute of the match and it almost looked like it was enough but New Caledonia equalised in the 83rd minute to create history and earn their first point in the tournament.
The Caledonian players were seen jumping and dancing at the end of the match and will go home with their heads held high, Japan on the other hand qualified as second from the group and will face a mighty England side .
Brief Results:
Kolkata – Japan 1 (K. Nakamura 7′) drew with New Caledonia 1 (J. Jeno 83′)
Engalnd 4 (A. Gomes 11′ E. Smith. Rowe 57′ D. Loader 59′, 71′) beat Iraq 0
Guwahati – France 5 (W. Isidor 14′ A. Flips 23′, 64′ A. Gouiri 86′ Y. Adli 90+6′) beat Honduras 1 (C. Mejia 10′)
Mexico 0 drew with Chile 0