October 28, 2017: When Kolkata hosts the FIFA Under-17 World Cup final

October 14, 2017 08:38 pm | Updated 08:41 pm IST

Players of Iran and Germany vie for the ball during their U-17 FIFA World Cup football match at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa on October 10, 2017.

Players of Iran and Germany vie for the ball during their U-17 FIFA World Cup football match at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa on October 10, 2017.

As the FIFA under-17 World Cup enters the knockout stages, two Asian teams, playing against all odds, including war and sanctions, have shown their mighty skills — and hearts — on the big stage. Iran is comfortably perched on top of Group C having won all three games, putting in 10 goals and securing the maximum nine points. On Tuesday, it stunned Germany 4-0. In the final group engagement, it beat Costa Rica 3-0.

Iraq, on its part, knocked out Chile, the Latin American giants, from the tournament.

Teammates congratulate Iraq’s Mohammed Dawood for scoring a goal against Chile during the FIFA U-17 World Cup match in Kolkata on October 11, 2017.

Iraq’s teammates congratulate Mohammed Dawood for scoring a goal against Chile during the FIFA U-17 World Cup match in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017.

 

Already, there are new heroes on the field: Iran’s midfielder Mohammad Shari, who says he has modelled himself on Germany’s Toni Kroos, and forwards Younes Del and Allahyar Sayyad. The spotlight is also on Mohammad Dawood of Iraq, with his tremendous speed and capacity to snatch goals. It may have been a disappointing run for hosts India, but the acrobatic skills of goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh were noticed. The final will be played in Kolkata on October 28.

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