Abu Dhabi: Argentina face the intimidating task of beating defending Fifa Under-17 World Cup champions Mexico if they are to reach the final of this year’s event in the UAE.
El Tri will be full of confidence going into Tuesday’s semi-final after they disposed of Argentina’s great rivals and three-time champions Brazil on penalties in the last-eight stage. After making a poor start to the tournament with a shock 6-1 defeat by Nigeria in Al Ain, Mexico have got better as the tournament has unfolded and will be dangerous opponents.
But Argentina are unfazed and are confident they can book a date with either Nigeria or Sweden in Friday’s final.
Albicelestes keeper Augusto Batalla, who is one of the favourites to win the tournament’s Golden Glove award, said: “Mexico are world champions. They have been improving as the tournament has gone on and they have just knocked out Brazil. It will be another battle but we came here to be champions and I believe in this team very much because we have a spectacular group of people.”
Argentina defender Emanuel Mammana added: “Mexico are a hard team and we will have to be at our best right until the last minute.”
Raul Gutierrez, the Mexico head coach, has done an excellent job of reviving his players from the despair of their opening defeat, as they have since beaten Iraq and fellow semi-finalists Sweden in the group stages, followed by Italy and Brazil in the knockout rounds.
“I am very proud because the players showed their character and what they are made of. They have demonstrated their strength as players,” Gutierrez said.
“We still have two matches to play. I believe all the teams in the semi-final are strong and will be a tough opponent, but being in the semi-finals gives us the chance to win the title and we will try to grab this chance.”
Argentina have never won the U-17 World Cup title, making it the only major international honour missing from their trophy cabinet.
But their strong defence has boosted them in this tournament, having conceded only five goals in as many matches. And defender Joaquin Ibanez is the team’s top scorer with four goals, ahead of strikers Matias Sanchez and Sebastian Driussi, who have two each.
