2009 FIFA U-17 WC: Group E to produce winners

October 21st, 2009 | by: sscouser |

On my previous post there is this poll:

Which Group do you think will produce the winners of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup?

So far most people think Group A will produce winners but I think it will be Group E (Malawi to be more specific). Yes don’t rule out Malawi. Malawi may not be well known, but the U20 World Cup showed that even small countries can cause upsets. Malawi should just target four points to progress to the knock out stage. During knock-out stages anything can happen.

Group E pits Malawi against teams from three different continents, with the top two automatically qualifying for the knock-out phase. The four best third-placed teams, from six groups, will also progress to the round of 16. Malawi are in the same group as U.A.E, Spain and USA.

GROUP E Recent Team News:

UAE

The UAE, who recently drew with fellow World Cup qualifiers Mexico and Honduras during a pre-Nigeria training fortnight in Spain, played their Italian counterparts in Florence this week. The match was their final warm-up fixture before they flew to Nigeria. Please note that their Under 20 Team reached the quarter finals of the just ended 2009 FIFA U-20 WC Finals that took place in Egypt.

SPAIN

The Spain Under 17 played the following games in October:

15 October 2009: Spain 3 Columbia 0 (Friendly)
16 October 2009: Spain 6 Faroe Islands 0 (UEFA Euro 2010 U-17 Qualifying Round)
18 October 2009: Spain 9 Lithuania 1 (UEFA Euro 2010 U-17 Qualifying Round)
19 October 2009: Spain 1 Columbia 1 (Friendly)
21 October 2009: Spain 4 Romania 1 (UEFA Euro 2010 U-17 Qualifying Round)

Most Spain U-17 players play for the following Clubs (Reserve Teams): Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol

U.S.A

Here is the U.S. Roster. Earlier this month, the U.S. Under 17 held a training camp in U.K. that included games against the Academy teams of English Premier League sides Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as the Gambian U-17 National Team (Africa U-17 Champions), whom they beat 5-0. The U.S. Under 17 played the last friendly against Crystal Palace Baltimore before leaving for Nigeria yesterday. Jack McInerney was the team’s leading scorer through qualifying and has received offers from Holland and Mexico to play professionally. The U.S. Under-17 arrives in Nigeria today.

MALAWI

Not to be outdone by the Yanks, the Malawi Under-17 left Malawi for U.K. last Saturday, 17 October 2009. On Monday they played against Wycombe Wanderers and lost 1-0. Their next game is today against Reading Reserve side. But that’s not all:

“We have been monitoring our opponents closely through the Egypt (FIFA Under-20 World Cup) tournament. The Under-20 teams can not be different from their Under-17 sides because they are all youths. So we used the Egypt competition to analyse our opponents. We have known their strengths and weaknesses which we can’t disclose to the media because we may end up alerting our opponents.” – FAM technical director Jack Chamangwana

So don’t be surprised when the Junior Flames win it all. By the way, The Flames (Senior Flames) are taking part in the COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup currently underway in Zimbabwe.

Which Group E Team do you think will win the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup?(opinion)

P/S 1 NOVEMBER 2009:

FIFA U-17 WC Nigeria 2009 Sweet Sixteen Bracket
http://malawi.worldcupblog.org/team-news/fifa-u-17-wc-nigeria-2009-sweet-sixteen-bracket.html

Tags: Team News

Malawi World Cup Team Blog RSS Feed

Comments

By Majataro | October 21st, 2009 at 5:07 pm

Argentina beat USA 5-1 in March. Though it was a friendly I don’t see the U.S.A beating Argentina in Nigeria.

By Doug | October 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm

I had high hopes for Gambia but lately their perfomance has been below par.

By Marion | October 22nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Brazil can’t lose twice.

By Andy | October 22nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm

Digital satellite television service providers, Multichoice Malawi, will cover the whole tournament. The whole country will be watching you live. We’ll be praying for you. Go Junior Flames!

By sscouser | October 23rd, 2009 at 10:42 am

Recent news from Nigeria:

Nigeria 09: USA, Malawi arrive in Kano
UNITED States of America (USA) and Malawi U-17 national teams arrived in Kano yesterday ahead of the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Youth Soccer Championship tagged: “Nigeria 09″ billed to kick-off tomorrow.

A statement signed by Kano Venue Media Officer, Alhaji Ado Salisu, the two teams have already lodged at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.

According to him, the two teams held a meeting with FIFA General Co-ordinator of Kano Centre Mr. Gary Moretti at the Presidential Suite of Tahir Guest Palace yesterday.

Malam Salisu further said that both countries have released their training programmes ahead of the competition.

Meanwhile, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) headed by Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Mu’azu Kawu have concluded all necessary arrangements to receive the awaited Spain U-17 national team today.

Other news:

Under-17 World Cup to Kick Off in Nigeria Amid Doubts
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-22-voa56.cfm

U-17 World Cup: Nigeria shatters FIFA records
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/22/u-17-world-cup-nigeria-shatters-fifa-records/

FIFA U-17 World Cup: LOC in N885m scam
http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/news/59-front-page/4540-fifa-u-17-world-cup-loc-in-n885m-scam

Nigeria disappoints FIFA
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/22/nigeria-disappoints-fifa/

Lagos pitch loses green to fumigation
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/22/lagos-pitch-loses-green-to-fumigation/

Crisis continues ahead of U-17 kickoff
http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=11832

Nigeria ’09: Confusion as FIFA U-17 World Cup begins tomorrow
http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20091023325843

Nigeria ready for U17 World Cup
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8322853.stm

Posted from United States

By sscouser | October 23rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm

UAE arrives, vows to surprise all
Kola Oyelere, Kano – 23.10.2009
http://www.tribune.com.ng/23102009/news/sports5.html

41-man contingent of United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived in Kano on Wednesday night through the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009, even as the team insists it will definitely surprise its counterparts in the competition, considering the calibre of players it will be parading.

The UAE’s team General Coordinator, Dr. Ahmad Thani Al-dosari, informed Tribunesports that the contingent, comprising players, coaches and officials, had already checked into the Tahir Guest Palace in readiness for the competition.

Dr. Al-dosari disclosed that the coaches and some officials had already visited the training pitch at the Kano Pillars Stadium and the mainbowl of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano.

“My team is in high spirit for this championship. With the calibre of players with brought to Nigeria, UAE will definitely surprise every one here,” Dr Al-dosari said.

Meanwhile, other teams were being expected in the country as at Thursday night.

Posted from United States

By sscouser | October 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pm

Nigeria ’09: FIFA insists on MRI test for players
By Festus Abu, Published: Friday, 23 Oct 2009
http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20091023133430

Posted from United States

By Jerome | October 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm

I will make my prediction after each team plays its first game.

By Stefano | October 24th, 2009 at 10:33 am

I am watching the Honduras and Argentina game on espn360.com
I have fallen in love with Argentina but Honduras are also good.

By Tray | October 24th, 2009 at 11:32 am

Group A is indeed the Group of Death.

Comments are closed