Two continental champions and as many runners-up make Group F quite challenging. The fans are in for a veritable treat when European runner-up England meets South American runner-up Chile in the lung opener.
As the east of India wakes up to its maiden football World Cup experience on Sunday, the second game at the decked up Salt Lake Stadium will feature the North American champion Mexico against Asian champion Iraq.
In terms of skill and expertise, the four present an intriguing mix of system, style and culture. England will be keen to play a robust game while the Chileans will look to showcase the silken artistry that has taken Latin American football to glory.
The Mexicans, with two World Cup trophies in their cabinet, will be favourites to progress from the group while Iraq will look to rise above the rest and get into the next round.
England coach Steven Cooper called it a “group of death” considering the “high level of excellence” each of the four sides possesses.
It has packed its team with players from the highly successful system – the Premier League – with most of the players picked from the youth teams of the elite league.
Names like Jadon Sancho, Rihan Brewster, Angel Gomes make up the England attack, giving the two-time UEFA u-17 champion enough reason to be confident of reaching the classification stage.
The Young Lions have done their homework, asking for inputs about the venue from compatriots Steve Coppell, Ashley Westwood and Stephen Constantine who have coached in the Indian Super League and also the Indian national side. “We have a taken a multi-disciplinary approach, checking the physical, psychological and cultural aspects of the sides to prepare for the tournament,” said Cooper, adding that he also spoke to the English cricket team staff who toured the country early this year.
For Chile, qualifying on merit for the final stage of the tournament after two decades — it had earned automatic qualification as a host previously — is a big incentive.
Coach Hernan Caputto felt that his players were motivated by wearing the National colours, and hoped to overcome the shortcomings it may face on the tactical front.
The inspiration
Caputto, who was accompanied by young striker Antonio Diaz at the media interaction, said the performance of the senior Chilean National side which won two Copa America titles and reached the final of the Confederations Cup this year will inspire the youngsters.
The Chileans, too, have a solid strike force with players like Ingacio Mesias, Branco Provoste and Pedro Campos in the mix.
