Fifa Under-17 World Cup: Holders Mexico take on Nigeria in ‘clash of the titans’

Abu Dhabi: The U-17 Fifa World Cup’s third day of action will feature a mouth-watering Group F encounter between holders Mexico and three-time champions Nigeria at 5pm at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain City on Saturday.

Many, including Nigeria coach Manu Garba, feel this “clash of the titans” could well be a dress rehearsal for the final. Nigeria are the only team to win the event three times other than Brazil, while Mexico have won the footballing showpiece twice.

A tooth-and-nail battle is clearly on the cards as both teams’ coaches have announced that it will be a cracker of a game and they won’t be sparing an inch.

“We are taking the first match against Mexico as if we were in the final against them. They are a strong team but we are coming here well prepared,” revealed Garba, whose team suffered a blow earlier this year when they lost the continental tournament — the African U-17 Championship — to Ivory Coast on penalties in April.

Garba, who was assistant in 2007 to the late coach Yemi Tella when the team won the U-17 World Cup, is of the view that the loss is a “thing of the past” and expressed confidence that his team can create history by winning the title for the fourth time.

“We have won the title three times and also have few titles in Asia. We want to return from here with the fourth title,” declared Garba, adding that the team had acclimatised well to the conditions here.

“We had good two weeks of training in Dubai and have been here in Al Ain for the past two days. The training has gone well and the boys are already feeling at home. So far everything has gone right, as per our plans and we are ready,” said Garba.

Mexico coach Raul Gutierrez, who was instrumental in leading the country to both their previous titles,

was similarly upbeat about his team’s chances.

“It’s a new generation team and we are working hard on the physical and technical aspects,” said Gutierrez. “The morale of the team is good and that’s because we have a good support chain and help from our federation. The boys are keen to perform and win. We will be happy to return with that third crown”, he added.

Gutierrez warned that his side had to play to their full potential to beat Nigeria.

“The Nigerians have always been a strong opponent. We will have to play well to beat them,” he said.

“In fact, we cannot afford to take any team lightly if we want to qualify for the next stage. I’m confident that we can get the desired result against Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the late evening clash at 8pm will feature debutants Iraq and Sweden. This clash is also expected to be a high-profile one, with both teams keen to make their mark in a tournament they have never featured in before. More importantly, they are well aware that any slip-up here could lead to their early exit from the tournament with group favourites and big guns Nigeria and Mexico waiting after Saturday’s fixture.