n an historic first, Brazil won a
world title on home soil. They
defeated Mexico, the surprise
package of the 2019 Under-17
World Cup, 2-1 in a dramatic
decider with a last-gap winner
from substitute Lazaro. Throughout the tournament
the Brazilians exploited their home advantage, but
their victory was a testament to a pragmatic and
reactive style of play that didn’t match the
progressive football of Europe’s top teams.
In the Final, Mexico were inching closer towards a
third world title courtesy of Bryan Gonzalez’s header
before Brazil completed a heart-in-mouth comeback
to clinch a fourth under-17 world crown. Striker Kaio
Jorge equalised from the penalty spot after a soft
call from the referee in the 84th minute, then an
elegant first-time finish from Lazaro in injury time
handed Brazil a first gold medal since 2003.
In the round of 16 Brazil had come from behind to
beat Chile 3-2 and in the last four they trailed 2-0
to France after 13 minutes, only to progress after a
second-half rearguard action. They then upheld their
sense for late drama against the Mexicans, whose
rigid organisation and lethal counter-attacking long
frustrated coach Guilherme Dalla Dea’s side. However,
Brazil’s urgency in the final 10 minutes of the match
proved too much for their opponents.
The feat of winning the tournament undefeated
was all the more remarkable as Brazil hadn’t even
qualified for the tournament. At the start of 2019 they
failed to finish in the top four of the South American
Under-17s, but when FIFA stripped Peru of the
hosting rights over a lack of adequate preparations
the tournament shifted to Brazil.
Brazil were dealt a major blow before the finalsbegan when Flamengo refused to release attacker
Reinier. Against Chile, the team’s talisman, Talles
Magno of Vasco da Gama, sustained a muscular
injury that ended his participation.
Brazil, like Mexico, had not been expected to go all
the way. In the group stage, the Mexicans suffered a
2-1 defeat against Italy, but they maintained a tight
organisation at the back and lurked on the counter-
attack, which was the template for success in the
semi-finals against Holland.
European champions Holland had manufactured
a minor miracle after defeats at the hands of Asian
champions Japan and debutants Senegal in the first
phase and only sneaked into the knockout round with
a 4-0 win over USA, who exited bottom of group D
with just a single point. Against the Americans, the
Dutch shook off their complacency and striker Sontje
Hansen’s brace and assist were the catalyst for a
convincing victory. Hansen also forced a 78th-minute
penalty which Kenneth Taylor failed to convert.
The Ajax striker won the golden boot with six goals,
but it wasn’t enough to guide Holland to a first
under-17 world Final. Coach Peter Van der Veen
tweaked his team in the knockout stage, moving
Hansen higher up the pitch and introducing winger
Jayden Braaf. Youri Regeer was the final piece in the
jigsaw, screening the defence.
Nigeria, Senegal and Angola were eliminated in theof Group D and go through to the
finals, with runners-up Denmark.
HOLLAND: Den Bosch apologise
to Excelsior winger Ahmad Mendes
Moreira for saying he mistook “crow
sounds” for racist noises during
Sunday’s second-tier game. The
referee took the players off after
half an hour following the abuse
from a section of the home fans but
the host club had initially argued
that opposition players near the De
Viert stand inside their De Vliert
stadium were regularly treated to a
“crow concert” by supporters. “That
reaction was a blunder for which
the club apologises to everyone,
in particular to Excelsior player
Ahmad Mendes Moreira,” read
a club statement.
MOROCCO: Second-tier side TAS
Casablanca beat Hassania Agadir
2-1 in the Moroccan Cup Final to
collect their fi rst ever silverware and
book a place in the preliminary
round of next season’s CAF
Confederation Cup.
Tuesday November 19
EURO 2020: Wales are the 20th
and fi nal team to secure automatic
qualifi cation for next summer’s
tournament, where they will be
joined by four play-off winners.
ITALY: Gaetano Micciche resigns as
the president of Serie A following
an investigation into his election
in March last year, when he was
chosen unanimously by the Italian
league’s 20 clubs.
MYANMAR: A 1-0 victory at home
to Mongolia sees Myanmar record
back-to-back wins in World Cup
qualifying games for the first time
in their history.
SPAIN: Former Malaga, Marseille
and Aris striker Sergio Contreras is
arrested by police in southern Spain
on suspicion of being “in charge” of
a drugs ring.
Wednesday November 20AUSTRIA: Gerhard Struber leaves
Wolfsberger, who are third in the
Austrian Bundesliga, to manage
Barnsley, who are bottom of the
English Championship.
ENGLAND: Less than 12 hours
after the sacking of Mauricio
Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur
appoint Jose Mourinho, with
chairman Daniel Levy saying: “In
Jose we have one of the most
successful managers in football.
He has a wealth of experience,
can inspire teams and is a great
tactician. He has won honours at
every club he has coached. We
believe he will bring energy and
belief to the dressing room.”
Historic first
for Brazil
Hosts beat Mexico to win world title
Injury time...Lazaro scores Brazil’s late winner in the FinalSkipper...Henri
lifts the trophyI
Under-17 World Cup
SAMINDRA KUNTI