SPORTING ALERT – The battle for knockout spots in the FIFA U-17 World Cup takes centre stage on Day five with Group C and D in the spotlights.
Germany, Mexico and Ecuador are all in positions to gain automatic spots on Wednesday.
After hammering Australia 4-1 in their first game of the tournament, Germany can secure their place into the second round with victory over Argentina at Estadio Nelson Oyarzún Arenas.
In the win over the Aussies, Johannes Eggestein bagged a brace, with captain Felix Passlack and RB Leipzig defensive midfielder Vitaly Janelt adding a goal each in the easy win.
However, Argentina, which suffered a 2-0 defeat to an impressive Mexico side in their FIFA U-17 World Cup opener, will be stronger opponents for the Germans, and head coach Christian Wuck hopes his team must play better.
“I think we felt too confident and we have to analyse this because we didn’t play at the level we expected and we don’t want this to happen again,” Wuck said after the win over Australia.
Two-time winners Mexico can also book a place into the second stage with a win over Australia in the other Group C contest.
A win for Mexico and Germany would put them both on six points and out of reach of anyone else in the group.
Kevin Magana and Francisco Venegas were the goalscorers for El Tri, who punished Argentina for not taking the chances that were presented to them.
“They claimed their chances and we didn’t, and when this happens you don’t win,” Argentina coach Miguel Lemme admitted.
In Group D, Ecuador can also earn a second stage spot with victory over Mali at Estadio Fiscal.
Ecuador eased to a 3-1 victory over Honduras in their Group D opening game, with the goals coming from Yeison Guerrero, Pervis Estupinan and Joan Cortez.
Elsewhere in the FIFA U-17 World Cup action on Wednesday, Belgium will tackle Honduras as both nations seek points to stay in the hunt for a knockout place.
Wednesday’s games will be streaming live on FoxSoccer2GO.com.
Match schedule
Group C
Australia vs Mexico (Estadio Nelson Oyarzun Arenas, 3:00 p.m. CT)
Argentina vs Germany (Estadio Nelson Oyarzun Arenas, 6:00 p.m. CT)
Group D
Belgium vs Honduras (Estadio Fiscal, Talca, 3:00 p.m. CT)
Ecuador vs Mali (Estadio Fiscal, Talca, 6:00 p.m. CT)
