Niger may be one of the poorest countries in the world but the small African nation is dreaming big in football. The win against North Korea in its opening fixture of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup has given it belief that it can take on the heavyweights in the tournament. Pitted against Spain in the second league match of Group D, Niger is confident that it can pull the rug from under the feet of the European champion.
Coach Ismalia Tiemoko says the under-17 World Cup is open and he has trust in his players’ abilities. “Spain and Brazil may be stronger sides at the senior level but at the junior level everyone is the same. So we have a chance against them,’’ he had said after the win on Saturday.
But Niger will be taking on a side whose style of play is in sharp contrast to the defensive North Korean side, which relied mostly on counter to sting its opponent. Spain, before it was troubled by the oppressive heat, had Brazil in trouble. Ismalia will be aware of Spain’s strengths in this tournament. Moreover, the absence of captain Rachid Alsari due to injury will further compound the problems of the coach.
Ferren Torres, on the right, played like the classical winger of old days whipping in crosses on the run. Though prolific scorer Abel Ruiz came up short against Brazil, the striker is still a dangerous player.
Defender Mateu Jaume has recovered from the injury which forced him to leave the field in the first half and Spain will be full strength against Niger. But again Spain will be playing the first match in the heat on Tuesday and it remains to be seen how the team adjusts itself to the balmy conditions.
North Korea will adopt the same defensive approach to stifle the Brazilians who will be looking for a win to nail their place in round two.
“The defensive strategy has worked well for us in the past. We think defence is the best offence. The Brazilians will be playing their natural attacking game. But we are ready to counter that. It is another day and new game. We will give our best,’’ said the North Korean coach Kim Yong Su after the team’s training session. But it will be a tough ask to rein in the creative Brazilian midfielders.
Brazilian coach Carlos Amadeu talked of his team’s mental strength after the comeback win against Spain in the opening match. “We won because we were mentally tough. The Koreans will play hard but we are ready for them.” There will be no dearth of support for Brazil here and fans will be expecting another complete domination from the Selecao .
