Margao: Stakes will be high when tournament favorites Germany take on the lesser known Costa Rica in the first match of Group C at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa. They may be the World Champions and the top most ranked team in the FIFA rankings but, ironically Germany has never won the U-17 World Cup, with their best achievement coming in 1985, when they finished as runners-up.
No matter how many times coach Christian Wuck says, ‘there is no pressure on us’, he is aware of the burden of expectations his team carry in the World Cup.
Possesing of players like Jann-Fiete Arp, Elias Abouchabaka and John Yeboah who are all tipped to be next German stars, this German team has the best chance to win the trophy that has forever eluded them. Coach Wuck agrees when he says, ‘that his team has one of the best group of attacking players (he has) have ever worked with.”
Striker Jann Arp with seven goals to his name, was the top scorer of the U-17 Euros , that included two hat-tricks. He is also the captain and will be the main man for Germany. Die Mannschaft will however miss first-choice goalkeeper Christian Fruchtl, who was not released by Bayern Munich.
Costa Rica on the other hand does not have a good record to speak of in the World Cup but, has reached the quarter-finals a number of times including in 2015. With tall defenders La Sele will have the physical advantage over their opponents and will look to combine it with team unity and personal skills to force through the match.
Coach Breansse Camacho Viquez sounded a confident man when he said, “We know all about Germany’s attacking prowess. But we have our plans ready.” Los Ticos will however look up to team captain and forward Jose Rodolfo Alfaro to lead to team to a win as they aim for their first ever title.
Iran vs Guinea
Meanwhile AFC U-16 Championships runners-up Iran will lock horns with Guinea in the second match of Group C at the Nehru stadium in Margao. Away from the spotlight both the teams will look to begin their campaign with a win. Despite being lesser known teams both will fancy their chances and will look to cause a couple of upsets on their way to the title.
Iran has for some time now been a powerhouse in Asian football and with midfielder Mohammad Sharifi, who is already tipped as the ‘next big thing’ in Iranian football, they will surely count their chances. “We have been together for the last three years. We also have the experience of playing on this ground. We have had good results and are really looking forward to this tournament,” said Sharifi.
Guinea on the other hand over leaped expectations when they finished Third in the U-17 African Cup of Nations. ‘Focused on the job ahead’, Guinea coach Souleymane Camara hopes that his team will make it big against all the odds in this year’s tournament.
Germany vs Costa Rica – 5:00 p.m.
Iran vs Guinea – 8:00 p.m.