Kolkata: The biggest night of football in India will witness England and Spain lock horns for glory at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. While European supremacy has been a common factor in the senior World Cup finals apart from the 1930 and 1950 editions, this will be the first time that two European teams play in the final of a U-17 World Cup. In what will be a repeat of the 2017 Euro Championships final, England will seek revenge after the loss in the penalty shoot-outs early this year.
The ‘Three Lions’ has undergone a huge change since the 19th May final and has been unbeaten in the ongoing World Cup sweeping aside the likes of heavyweights Brazil and USA with ease. Such has been their dominance that England has scored 18 goals in six matches, including at-least three goals in all the matches other than Japan, against whom they failed to score any, but broke the shoot-outs jinx that has haunted them in crunch situations in the past.
Spain on the other hand were completely outplayed by Brazil in their opening encounter, but kicked aside any doubts with a 4-0 victory against Niger in their second match. There has been no looking back for La Rojita since then as they galloped past surprise package Iran and African Champions Mali with identical goal margins to set a up mouth-watering clash against familiar foes England in the final.
The playing style of the England U-17 boys has been quite different from the usual English teams, with the young colts focussing on short passes and using the flanks to break down opposition defence. Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho earlier and now Callum Hudson-Odoi, with a poacher in Brewster upfront, have been instrumental to England’s fortunes. But a similarity lies with Spain’s philosophy and Cooper’s experience with Liverpool teams paved the way to engrave the Spanish style in England’s creativity.
But creativity is nothing new to Spain, it runs in their blood and with a possession based football that started with Guardiola’s Barcelona, Santiago Denia’s boys will however have to do much more than keeping the ball if they are to win their first title, having failed to cross the final hurdle three times previously.
“We want to do what no one has done before,” said coach Denia as his boys look to emulate the senior team by achieving the double (Euro and World Cup) a feat that Spain achieved in 2010-12. Captain Abel Ruiz who is in the contention for the Golden Boot with six goals to his name will have to be in his toes if he is score against a reliable English defence, while Sergio Gomez and Ferran Torres will have to take the responsibility of cutting in through the flanks.
Ruiz however face tough competition from Brewster who leads the chart with seven goals, he along with Foden, Hudson-Odoi and George McEachran have been influential in England’s attacks and will once again look to do the same when they step out in the Salt-Lake turf, a stadium where they have scored 15 of their 18 goals and have been an indomitable force with a 100% win record.
Brazil vs Mali
After suffering a heart-breaking loss against England in Kolkata despite the crowd backing them in numbers, Brazil will look to regain some lost pride when they take on Mali in the third-fourth place play-off at the same Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium which cheered them throughout their matches against European sides Germany and Engand. Mali on the other hand will be playing their first match at the ‘mecca of Indian football’ and is eager to witness the electrified crowd, despite being aware that Brazil is the team, that the crowd will root for.
Down in motivation and With little at stake both the teams will give their all and while a World Cup title was their only aim, a third place finish in a World Cup is not bad. “Being on the podium as third-placed team would be an honour. We are looking forward to winning the match and claiming the medal,” said Mali coach Jonas Komla and Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu couldn’t sum it better, “football is like life, it is about getting up every time you fall down,” he said.
Mali forward Lassana N’Diaye will however not need any motivation. Second in the list of highest goal scorers, with six goals to his name, N’Diaye will have to score more if he is to beat Brewster (7 goals) and Abel Ruiz (6) who play later in the day.
The Samba boys are however disappointed that they could not give back the love they received from the Kolkata fans with a title and vowed to give in their best and win the bronze medal as a token of gratitude to the fans that cheered them throughout the tournament.
Live from Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata:
Brazil vs Mali – 5:00 p.m. IST
England vs Spain – 8:00 p.m. IST