MUMBAI: Had it been on the senior stage, it would be a no-contest, but when the African U-17 champions Mali face the European U-17 champions Spain within the semifinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on the DY Patil Stadium right here on Wednesday, each groups will know that they can't find the money for to provide an inch.
Both groups have had a identical journey in this tournament. Both misplaced their first sport to South American fighters - Spain went right down to Brazil 2-1 and Mali have been stunned via Paraguay Three-2. But they temporarily recovered and won their remaining video games to reach the last-four level.
After comfy group wins over Niger and DPR Korea, Spain have been made to paintings arduous within the Round of 16. They managed to edge past their European opposite numbers France, courtesy a penalty via their star striker Abel Ruiz. They then comfortably dispatched Iran Three-1 within the quarterfinal.
Mali too had no problem within the group, outplaying Turkey and New Zealand. They have been at their scoring absolute best in their 5-1 victory over Iraq within the quarterfinal. While Ghana did pose them a danger in an all-African quarterfinal, Mali seemed slightly unperturbed, relying on their counterattacks to win the match 2-1.
All that, on the other hand, will be of little worth on Wednesday. What will matter is how Spain arrange to thwart Mali's physical dominance and in flip, how Mali arrange to stay Spain from playing long spells of possession, especially within the midfield.
It is bound to be a fight of contrasts, with continental styles on show. African groups usually depend so much on speed, and Mali have showed that, being a constant danger from the flanks. Spain, true to their tiki-taka taste of play, have been great at pulling strings from the midfield orchestrating moves from the centre of the pitch. Striker Ruiz has scored four targets in this tournament up to now, and Mali will know the danger he poses. Going via Sergio Gomez's superb 25-yard strike towards Iran, Mali can't find the money for to provide him house even outside the field.
The African group will be aided via the fact that their goalkeeper Youssouf Koita has been in excellent form, conceding simplest 3 targets since their loss to Paraguay in their opening match.
In the scoring division, it's been a real group effort from Mali, even though Lassana N'Diaye has netted five in their 15 targets. Hadji Drame and Djemoussa Traore with 3 targets every, have additionally been instrumental for the Africans, who've made a mind-boggling 128 attempts at objective up to now.
While all Spanish avid gamers are have compatibility and available for variety, Mali will be with out their suspended captain Mohamed Camara. In his absence, creative midfielder Salam Jiddou can have extra on his plate whilst midfielder Mamadou Samake will put on the captain's armband.
Both groups have had a identical journey in this tournament. Both misplaced their first sport to South American fighters - Spain went right down to Brazil 2-1 and Mali have been stunned via Paraguay Three-2. But they temporarily recovered and won their remaining video games to reach the last-four level.
After comfy group wins over Niger and DPR Korea, Spain have been made to paintings arduous within the Round of 16. They managed to edge past their European opposite numbers France, courtesy a penalty via their star striker Abel Ruiz. They then comfortably dispatched Iran Three-1 within the quarterfinal.
Mali too had no problem within the group, outplaying Turkey and New Zealand. They have been at their scoring absolute best in their 5-1 victory over Iraq within the quarterfinal. While Ghana did pose them a danger in an all-African quarterfinal, Mali seemed slightly unperturbed, relying on their counterattacks to win the match 2-1.
All that, on the other hand, will be of little worth on Wednesday. What will matter is how Spain arrange to thwart Mali's physical dominance and in flip, how Mali arrange to stay Spain from playing long spells of possession, especially within the midfield.
It is bound to be a fight of contrasts, with continental styles on show. African groups usually depend so much on speed, and Mali have showed that, being a constant danger from the flanks. Spain, true to their tiki-taka taste of play, have been great at pulling strings from the midfield orchestrating moves from the centre of the pitch. Striker Ruiz has scored four targets in this tournament up to now, and Mali will know the danger he poses. Going via Sergio Gomez's superb 25-yard strike towards Iran, Mali can't find the money for to provide him house even outside the field.
The African group will be aided via the fact that their goalkeeper Youssouf Koita has been in excellent form, conceding simplest 3 targets since their loss to Paraguay in their opening match.
In the scoring division, it's been a real group effort from Mali, even though Lassana N'Diaye has netted five in their 15 targets. Hadji Drame and Djemoussa Traore with 3 targets every, have additionally been instrumental for the Africans, who've made a mind-boggling 128 attempts at objective up to now.
While all Spanish avid gamers are have compatibility and available for variety, Mali will be with out their suspended captain Mohamed Camara. In his absence, creative midfielder Salam Jiddou can have extra on his plate whilst midfielder Mamadou Samake will put on the captain's armband.
FIFA U17 World Cup: Contest in passing as Spain meet Mali
![FIFA U17 World Cup: Contest in passing as Spain meet Mali]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 25, 2017
Rating:
