FIFA U-17 WC NIGERIA 2009: MALAWI 1 U.S.A 0

Though U.S.A. beat Malawi 1-0 here are some of the reasons why I think Malawi won:

1) RESIDENCY PROGRAM

While Malawi has no residency program, Ten players on the U.S. roster have been in Residency since the Fall Semester of 2007: Andre Craven, Duran, Earl Edwards, Herold, Stefan Jerome, Perry Kitchen, Carlos Martinez, McInerney, Tyler Polak and Jared Watts. Only one player, midfielder William Packwood, is not based full time in U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. Packwood is based in England and plays in the Birmingham City academy.

2) TEAM COHESION

After the dismal performance in Algeria (CAF Championship), the Malawi Under-17 coach carried out a massive program in secondary (high) schools to discover new talent. In fact some of the players currently at the World Cup Tournament have only been with the team for less than 4 months. The U.S. players have played together for close to 2 years. Team cohesion matters.

3) HEIGHT AND PHYSICAL FITNESS

One of the reasons Malawi didn’t do well in Algeria (CAF Championship) was because they were disadvantaged there by their lack of height and physical fitness. The same is happening at the World Cup tournament. Some of the teams that are winning at the World Cup are winning not because they are more talented but because they have the height and physical build advantage. Why is it that in boxing they go by weight and not age? Lightweight boxers are more talented than heavyweight boxers but if a heavy-weight boxer were to fight against a lightweight boxer a heavy-weight boxer would win. May be in addition to the age limit FIFA should also introduce a height and weight limit. That’s my humble take clones

Should FIFA introduce a height and weight limit in the Youth Championships?(polls)