FIFA U17 World Cup: Which are the most awaited games of the competition?

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Internet Desk:
 The FIFA U17 World Cup will no doubt be a mouth-watering event for the football lovers across the globe. Here, www.xtratime.in highlights the most awaited games of the competition.

Brazil vs Spain

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The game of the FIFA U17 World Cup without a doubt. The two best teams in the world will take on each other in Group D.

Brazil is undoubtedly a force to reckon with, having won the U17 title thrice – 1997, 1999 and 2005 – and finished as runners-up in 1995 and 2005. Interestingly, they were the dominant side in the South American U17 tournament, going the entire tournament unbeaten.

When asked about the game, Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu said: “It is a tricky one but not unbeatable. We are lined up to face the U17 champion of Europe in Spain, we will be well prepared, maybe better prepared barring the conditions in India.”

France vs Japan

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Another enthralling game on the cards. France has been doing remarkably well in their youth development and Japan too has some exciting young talents to make it a perfect match-up.

“We have got a Japanese team. I think Japan will be a tough competitor in the group. We have played a U-16 tournament with them and we are looking forward to playing a great game with them and hope for the best,” said France coach Lionel Rouxel on the sidelines of the draw.

Chile vs England

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The Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata is all set to witness some exciting match ups. No doubt, this one would be the best one of the group.

“We are grouped with a very tough team like Mexico and other countries like Iraq and England who are equally strong. We know we have the potential but we need to speed up a little. Our team is going to prepare well for the tournament. Also, before coming to India, we might play friendly matches against England and Iraq in Europe to get used to the conditions,” explained Chile coach Hernan Caputto.

Chile are a part of the potential ‘Group of Death’ alongside two-time champions Mexico, U-20 winners England and Asian champions Iraq in Group F.

Group A Matches

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India’s matches will no doubt be the biggest attractions of the FIFA U17 World Cup. But India’s clash with Colombia will be an intriguing contest

Having previously made it to the U-17 event on five occasions, Colombia’s best finish came in the 2003 and 2009 World Cup, when they finished third.

“Well, it certainly is a big responsibility for us that we are going to face the host nation in the group stages. There will be a lot of pressure on us, however, we are preparing well and we will face it regardless of anything. We are also looking to play matches with some of the countries in similar conditions,” said Colombia coach Orlando Restrepo when asked how he assesses the draw.

Colombia are drawn with hosts India, USA and Ghana, in what looks like a very competitive group. The Group A matches will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.