FIFA U17 World Cup: Brazil Coach compares football with ‘life’ ahead of facing Mali in the 3rd place play-off

Paulinho in action against England at the Salt Lake Stadium today. Image Source: XtraTime
All eyes will be on Paulinho in the third place match of the FIFA U17 World Cup tomorrow. Image Source: XtraTime

Kolkata: Brazil, the most successful team in the history of the FIFA competitions seems to be a bit philosophical in their approach as Brazil U17 Head Coach Carlos Amadeu compared the game of football with ‘life’.

In the press conference Amadeu said, “Football is like life, you might fall down but you have to get up as well. We are happy to be amongst the top four teams of the competition.” He added, “As the leaders of this side, it’s our responsibility to motivate the team when they are down. We told the boys that we need to do this to inspire the future generations.”

Brazil will seek a consolation win when they take on Mali in the third-place play-off of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in what could turn out to be a high-scoring entertaining match in Kolkata on Saturday.

With little at stake after losing in the semifinals, both sides will go all out in their bid to sign off on a winning note and this third place match could turn out to be a goal fest.

It is expected to be free-flowing contest between Brazil’s natural flair and the raw power and speed of an African side. Brazil, the pre-tournament and crowd favourites, were distraught after their 1-3 loss to England in the semifinals on Wednesday. They would want to salvage some pride and give the Kolkata crowd one last chance to lustily cheer them.

In the press meet Mali coach Jason Komla said that the crowd support of more than 66,000 people on the stands won’t be an issue for his team as he stated, “We are used to with this crowd back in our country. So, we are not bothered.” The the head coach of the African champions also told, “We would like to finish on the podium. That would be a great honour. We have enough motivation to play this game.”

Disappointed that they could not give back the love shown by the crowd with a title, Brazil players like Alan Souza, Lincoln and Paulinho have said that they would give their best in the bronze play-off match as a mark of respect for the faithful spectators.

The Carlos Amadeu-coached side, however, showed in the quarterfinal match against Germany that they can live up to the billing of being the pre-tournament favourites with a spectacular comeback but they could not repeat it in the semifinals as they were sent packing by a clearly better England side.

Mali were seeking their maiden FIFA U-17 World Cup title after finishing runners-up in the last edition in Chile in 2015. They have been one of the most attacking sides in the tournament with 16 goals from six matches.