KOCHI: Circa 1997. The FIFA U-17 World Cup was about to start in Egypt and Brazil was one country that was under close scrutiny of football enthusiasts for two reasons: The Selecao were yet to win the silverware in the age category, and there was this chap, who had earned a name with his talent even before arriving in Cairo. Though being one of the youngest players in the youth club matches, he carried the reputation of being a player who could weave magic with ‘Maria’.
Maria is one among thirty-seven nicknames for football used by Brazilians that Haroldo Maranhao has listed in his football dictionary. Since there is no Portuguese word for ‘it’, the Brazilians used nicknames for the ball. And if a player caress the ball too much, most likely are the chances that they will call it ‘her’.
And in that context, the boy in discussion was a master rake, versatile in the art of entertaining ‘Marias’ and ‘Margarets’. The nimble-footed, sharp player, who had a surreal mastery over the ball, unfurled his brand of game and proved to be a vital cog in his team’s journey to success.
Though he had just two goals against his name, his contribution was far more than what the numbers showed. He split open the defence at ease and gave his compatriots a free space to ply their trade. Cairo was destined to serve as the right, grand stage for Ronaldinho to herald his arrival. The man, with a curling smile and a big creative football mind, helped built the edifice, climbing on which Selecao won the title twice in a row the next two editions.
A platform for talents
The U-17 World Cups always served as the platform for the talented teens to shout out to the world that here come the ones the football world has been waiting for. Be it Spain’s Cesc Fabregas, his mid-field partner of 2003 U-17 World Cup David Silva or Brazil’s Neymar. It’s this illustrious past that makes the tournament an exciting one. As Kochi is all geared up to host eight matches - five Group D games, a Group C match and two knockout games - the football fans in Kerala will be presented with a may be-once-in-a-lifetime oppurtunity to watch quality football in real time. Group D has got North Korea, Brazil, Niger and Spain, while Germany from Group C will also play one of their group matches here. However,the most exciting teams will be Brazil and Spain - the powerhouses of world football.
Brazilian Joga Bonito
Brazil, meanwhile, would be matching Spanish tiki-taka with their ‘Joga Bonito’- the beautiful game- jazzed up by Samba flavour. Brazil side features one of the most discussed youth player of the times; Vinicius Junior. The 16-year-old was the protagonist in an eye-popping deal, where giants Real Madrid snapped him up from Brazil club Flamengo for 46 million euros, the second costly signing in Brazilian league history after Neymar. However, his participation is under doubt as it’s unclear whether Flamengo will release him for national duty. Even in his absence Brazil still can brag about players like Lucas Oliveira and midfielder Lincoln.
Germany’s lust for goals
Germany will be the other team to watch out for as they have a goal machine of the name Jann-Fiete Arp in their line-up. He had struck seven goals and fired in a 13-minute hat-trick- the fastest hat-trick ever in Euro U-17 history. Arp, who has 36 goals in 44 matches for Hamburg youth team, will be spearheading German attack. Germany’s passage to India was marked by their lust for goals as they posted 17 goals in five European qualifying tournament matches. And with a bad track record left to be mended, they will be hoping to make this Kochi sojourn a productive one.
Spanish tiki-taka
Having failed to qualify in the last three editions, Spain was under pressure to make it count this time during the Continental U-17 tournament. But the Le Furia Roja, coached by former Atletico Madrid player and caretaker manager Santi Denia, played their signature ‘tiki-taka’ style to perfection and won the Euro U-17 to earn India ticket. Denia’s trump card would be captain Abel Ruiz, a product of Barcelona academy.
He has got the experience- 23 outings in Euro U-17 history, a record on its own - and talent, emphasised by the fact that he is joint-top of all time scorers with 16 goals. Midfielders Sergio Gomez, and Alejandro Orellana and defender Mateur Morey will be also watched. What comes in handy for La Roja will be the presence of almost half-dozen Barcelona Academy players in their roster. La Masia players accounted for more than ninety percentage of the goals Spain had scored in Euro U-17 Championship.
Vinicius Junior I Brazil
The 16-year-old was the protagonist in an eye-popping deal, where giants Real Madrid snapped him up from Brazil club Flamengo for an astounding 46 million euros, the second costly signing in Brazilian league history after the mercurial Neymar. However, his participation is under doubt as it’s unclear whether Flamengo will release him for national duty. He top-scored with 7 goals in South American Un-17 Championship.
The underdogs
Niger, playing their first U-17 World Cup, will be inspired by the fact that African nations have a good track record in the event. Nigeria is the most successful team with five titles to their credit. The likes of Ibrahim Boubacar Marou will embolden Niger to launch an all-out try to impress the world on it’s debut U-17 World Cup. North Korea will be the other underdogs hoping to make their presence felt.
Matches in Kochi
Oct 7: Brazil vs Spain (5 pm);
North Korea vs Niger (8 pm)
October 10: Spain vs Niger (5 pm);
Brazil vs North Korea (8 pm)
October 13: Germany vs Guinea (5 pm); Spain vs North Korea (8 pm)
Pre-quarterfinal: October 18 (8 pm)
Quarterfinal: October 22 (5 pm)
Jann-Fiete Arp I Germany
He had struck seven goals and fired in a 13-minute hat-trick- the fastest hat-trick ever in Euro U-17 history. Arp, who has 36 goals in 44 matches for Hamburg youth team, will be spearheading
German attack.
Abel Ruiz I Spain
The 16-year-old Spaniard has turned heads with his scintillating performances. The centre-forward, a product of Barcelona Academy, was hotly pursued by several English Premier League clubs, but the teenager decided to stay at Nou Camp. He has got the experience- 23 outings in Euro U-17 history, a record on its own- and talent, emphasized by the fact that he is joint-top of all time scorers with 16 goals.