Head-to-head war for qualification.

While the first teams to reach the
knockout stages from Groups A to D of
this year's FIFA U-17 World Cup in the
UAE have been confirmed with a game
to spare, the race to qualify remains
wide open in Groups E and F.
Argentina currently lead the way in
Group E on four points ahead of
Canada, Iran (both two points) and
Austria (one). In Group F, Nigeria and
Sweden are level pegging on four
points apiece, with Mexico lurking
dangerously behind on three and Iraq
bottom of the section with zero.
The schedule
Group E
Argentina - Canada (Dubai, Rashid
Stadium, 20:00)
Austria - Iran (Al Ain City, Bin Zayed
Stadium 20:00)
Group F
Nigeria - Iraq (Dubai, Rashid Stadium,
17:00)
Sweden - Mexico (Al Ain City, Bin Zayed
Stadium 17:00)
Match of the day
Sweden - Mexico
This clash between the competition
debutants and the reigning champions
seemed like an easy one to predict
ahead of the tournament, but two
games into the FIFA U-17 World Cup
and the group has taken on an entirely
different complexion. Not only have
the Scandinavian newcomers beaten
Iraq convincingly 4-1, they also
managed a 3-3 draw against three-time
champions Nigeria.
El Tri, meanwhile, were humiliated 6-1
by the Golden Eaglets in their opening
encounter. The Mexicans then
recovered with a 3-1 success against
Iraq, but only a victory will do in their
final match of the round if they are to
reach the last 16. Never before have
the reigning U-17 world champions
gone out in the group stages of the
subsequent tournament, but Mexico
could well be the first should Sweden
get the draw they require to progress.
Other highlights
In the other game in Group F, Nigeria
take on an Iraq side which have lost
both of their matches at the
tournament so far. The Asians still
remain in with a slim chance of
qualifying as one of the four best third-
placed teams.
The permutations are even more
intriguing in Group E, where all four
teams could still qualify directly for the
last 16. Bottom-of-the-section Austria
are under the most pressure, requiring
nothing less than victory against Iran.
The Austrians were unfortunate to go
down 3-2 to Argentina in their last
match, conceding just two minutes
from the end.
Argentina are in pole position having
racked up a victory and a draw to date
ahead of their meeting with Canada. A
solitary point would be enough to see
the South Americans through.
Player to watch
Jordan Hamilton (Canada)
The Canadian attacker has scored two
of his side's three goals in the
competition so far and scored shortly
after the interval in both draws against
Austria (2-2) and Iran (1-1). Argentina
will need to be alert from the opening
whistle in order to contain the lively
forward.
The number
12 – FIFA U-17 World Cup newcomers
Sweden have now gone 12 competitive
matches without defeat at this level.
The Scandinavians were the only team
in the European Zone to go unbeaten
(five wins, five draws) through
qualifying and they remain undefeated
in the UAE too having registered a win
and a draw so far.
The words
"Even if we've only managed one point
so far, we've shown that we have a lot
of quality. If we play like we have been,
we can beat Iran. We just have to go
for it. That doesn't mean throwing
everything forward, but trying to make
the impossible possible on the basis of
a solid defence. Iran are a hard nut to
crack. They're extremely strong and
very aggressive," Austria coach
Herrmann Stadler looks ahead to his
side's decisive final group game
against Iran.

Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN