U-17 World Cup News

The All India Football Federation is trying to field India's U-16 team in a four-nation tournament in Japan, aiming to mould it into a battle-hardened outfit good enough to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019.

Captain and star striker Jann-Fiete Arp (7th and 65th) struck twice while Yann Bisseck (39th) and John Yeboah (49th) scored a goal each to help Germany reach the quarterfinals. All the goals scored by Germany were defensive bloopers committed either by Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier or the back four.

USA kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 win over hosts India and then saw off two-time champions Ghana in an intense battle. However, they were shocked by a desperate Colombia in a must-win game for the South Americans.

In the knockout stages, there will be no extra time if the scores remain level at the end of regulation time. Winners shall be determined by a penalty shoot-out.

The Central American champions are the only side in this edition to qualify for the knock-out round without a win. Chile had lost to England 0-4 and to Iraq 0-3 in their earlier two matches to finish last in the four-team group.

With his fifth goal in three matches, Gouiri maintained his status as the top scorer of the tournament so far. They will face Group D runners-up Spain -- European qualifying tournament winners -- in their Round of 16 match in Guwahati on October 17.

Japan finished second behind France (nine points) with four points in Group E. In the round of 16 match on October 17 at the same venue, Japan play the winners of Group F.

Assured of a pre-quarterfinal spot, Paraguay's unbeaten team would aim to end its group B engagements on a perfect note when it takes on a struggling Turkey in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup here on Thursday.

With Ghana likely to press hard for a win against India, Colombia would like to win the US encounter rather than wait for the best third-placed result.

In the early kick-offs, France take on Japan in Guwahati, while England face Mexico in Kolkata.

Having begun their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaigns with goal-laden wins, France and Japan start on even keel in a group E encounter. Both sides will be high on confidence with an aim to come out all guns blazing.

Despite all the brouhaha surrounding India hosting a football World Cup, not many witnessed the historic feat.

Day five of 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in India will witness crucial Group C and D matches featuring heavyweights Brazil, Spain and Germany.

In their maiden World Cup appearance, India were blanked 0-3 by USA on Friday, and the coach was not pleased with the result.

Nakamura found the back of the net in the 22nd, 30th and 43rd minute. Takefusa Kubo, dubbed the Japanese Messi for his exceptional skills, added a fourth in the 45th minute.

The Asian champions Iraq took a surprised lead in the 16th minute through a goal by Mohammed Dawood before Roberto De La Rosa equalised in the 61st minute for Spain as both teams collected one point each from the Group F match.

France were the last team to qualify from Europe, but they have come prepared. Following their first appearance in 1984, France have reached the quarter-finals twice in 2007 and 2011.

The two teams have met twice before in the U-17 World Cup, with the Black Starlets claiming 2-0 wins in both 1995 in Quito and 1999 in Auckland.

Timothy, son of legendary Liberian footballer George Weah who won the Ballon d'Or in 1995, is a key player of the US side in this U-17 World Cup. He recently signed with Paris Saint-Germain.

The Super Sunday fixture also has England vs Chile, Honduras vs Japan and Asian champions Iraq vs two-time champions Mexico clashes.