India colts and rest of the juniors show way forward for world football

FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 has started on a positive note, goals and attacking play-wise because the players are being taught to enjoy the game.

After the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, then FIFA president Sepp Blatter had mentioned “the lack of free-flowing football” as the biggest drawback of the tournament. The 2010 edition recorded just 2.3 goals per game. Four years later in Brazil, things just marginally improved, with 2.7 goals per game. At the senior level, stakes are pretty high and safety-first is a popular approach. The U-17s, however, are still being taught to enjoy the game. Little wonder then that the 2017 U-17 World Cup has started on a positive note, goals and attacking play-wise.

Go for goals

With 56 goals from 16 matches so far, we already have 3.5 goals per game. 4-2-3-1 is more or less the preferred formation in this World Cup. In this formation, two deep-lying midfielders in front of the back four are called the ‘double pivot’. The system allows flexibility in terms of wing play or going direct. The second midfielder in the ‘double pivot’ controls attacking play, like Phil Foden spectacularly did during England’s 4-0 win against Chile.

Mali going for the jugularWith 49 attempts from two matches, Mali are going for the jugular. Out of those attempts, 26 had been on target. Their opponents saved 14 shots and seven were blocked. But only five goals from 49 attempts suggest a poor conversion rate. Ghana trail Mali in second spot with 35 attempts – nine on target. France had 31 shots – 17 on target – during their 7-1 rout of New Caledonia. Chile are at the foot of the table with just four attempts – not one shot on target – during their opening Group F game against England. The tournament average so far for goal-scoring attempts is 20.3.

Nakamura on songJapan’s Keito Nakamura scored the first hat-trick of the tournament during his team’s 6-1 victory over Honduras. France’s Amine Gouiri, England’s Jadon Sancho and Mali’s Lassana Ndiaye have scored two goals apiece.

Dheeraj right up thereMali’s Youssouf Koita has made 12 saves in two matches, with a saving rate of 80 per cent. New Zealand’s Jacob Clark is No. 2 in the list with 11 saves. But India stopper Dheeraj Moirangthem, joint third with Turkey’s Berke Ozer with 10 saves each, is a revelation here. He was at times heroic against Colombia on Monday. In a match where the South Americans had 18 goal-scoring attempts – seven on target – they could score only two goals, because Moirangthem’s positional sense was brilliant. Honourable mention to USA’s Justin Garces, whose goal is yet to be breached.

India improveIn the opening game against USA, India had only one shot on target. On Monday against Colombia, they had four on target from six attempts. Jeakson Thounaojam became the first Indian to score in a FIFA World Cup finals. And once again, the hosts didn’t have the rub of the green. Crossbar denied Anwar Ali against USA. Rahul Kannoly’s shot during added-on time in the first half against Colombia came off the upright. In two matches, India have made 15 attempts; five on goal, seven off target and two rebounding off the woodwork.