U-17 World Cup 2017

[diz]

Eric Garcia likens Spain to Manchester City as Denia plans to outfox 'speedy' Iran

Spain are all set to take on Iran in their quarter-final match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday.

Spanish coach Santiago Denia spoke about the challenge that lies ahead of him, identifying tomorrow's opponents as one of the best teams in the transition from defence to attack.

"It's a top-level match and is not going to be easy. Iran are here because of the good things they have done. They won all their four matches. It's one of the best teams in the transition from defence to attack."

Spanish teams always boast a unique identity when it comes to their style of play. Despite the undeniable stamp of tiki-taka all over his team, Denia said that his staff are occupied with the task of finding a way to adapt to the other team's tactics.

"We have been improving after the match against France. We play with our own identity but we also make sure we adapt to how the other team plays. It's the job of the technical staff to find the problems and adapt."

"They [Iran] are very speedy and they can be dangerous if they get their chances. They have done a good job and they are working as a team."

Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia is focused on the team's success despite his lack of minutes on the pitch. The centre-back has found it easy to fit into Denia's system though, thanks to the similar approach to football that his club employs.

"It doesn't matter who plays, the most important thing is we win. It's [style of play] not different. The focus, the training, it is the same."

Iran U-17 coach Abbas Chamanian believes that his team's winning mentality is the key to winning Sunday's crucial clash and expects the Kochi crowd to play their part well.

"We have some points that Spain don't have. This is the mentality of winning that we have. Fans of Iran and Spain will enjoy the match tomorrow. Although every viewer that see our match, we want to gift them a beautiful match. Goa people encourages us very much. I'm sure that Kochi will help us, Iran is in their heart."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/u17-wor...115318127.html

[diz]

Travel-weary Spain aim to unlock Iran’s defence

On any other day, or in any other age group, Spain would be expected to be the overwhelming favourites going into a football game against Iran. That, however, isn’t the case as both teams prepare to face off here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

After reaching the final of the AFC U-16 Championship last year, Iran were expected to be one of the better Asian sides in this tournament. They have, however, performed well above expectations, winning all their four matches in the tournament so far.

These wins include a 4-0 thrashing of Germany in the group stages. Iran have been lethal going forward despite managing to keep an average of 41.5 percent possession in these games.

The Asian giants have scored 12 goals and conceded two in these games, with strikers Allahyar Sayyad and Younes Delfi scoring five of their 12 goals. Delfi, however, is suspended for the game against Spain.

Brisk pace on the counter and ability to close out space when without the ball has seen Iran outwit their opponents so far.

Boasting of a strong backline, Iran will be aware of the threat posed by European champions Spain.

“We know that we have a tough match, but there’s no doubt that Spain too have a tough match. We are very well prepared and ready for this match. Our players are very motivated to go to the semifinals,” coach Abbas Chamanian told reporters in the pre-match press conference.

Forward Sayyad insisted that Delfi’s suspension wouldn’t impact his team. “Delfi is a high quality player for us, but we have a team and we can go through without him,” he said.

“We are here for mission impossible,” he added.

Spain, on the other hand, will be high on morale after knocking out a strong France side with a 2-1 win in the quarterfinals.

Having begun their campaign with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil, Spain have bounced back well to notch up three wins on the bounce.

They thrashed Niger 4-0 before beating North Korea 2-0 to finish off the group stage.

Ferran Torres and Sergio Gomez have been highly effective on the wings, and could be key to unlocking Iran’s resolute backline tomorrow.

Coach Santiago Denia refused to reveal too much about his strategy against Iran.

“It’s a top-level match because it’s a World Cup match. It’s not going to be easy. Talking about Iran, they are here because of the good things they have done. They have won all their four matches. It’s one of the best teams in terms of transition from defence to attack.

“Let’s see what the strategy is for tomorrow. The team has worked (to counter) the defence that Iran have. We have been working to improve the circulation of the ball and find more space against Iran,” he stated.

The Spaniards, who had played their group stage games in Kochi, have had to take an arduous journey to-and-fro Guwahati for their Round of 16 game against France.

Denia said the long journey has negated any advantage Spain would have enjoyed from having played three games in Kochi.

“It (playing in Kochi) won’t be an advantage because we have gone 3000 kilometres to Guwahati and come back,” Denia said.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/fifa-u...LcLbweSvJ.html

[OFFSIDE_1]

it was raining hard during the Mali - Ghana game and that totally screwed up the field. Not as bad as the Iran-Lebanon game, but still bad enough to really slow down the game. Hope it doesn't rain for the Iran-Spain matchup since that would neutralize our speed.

[perspolis#1]

it was raining hard during the Mali - Ghana game and that totally screwed up the field. Not as bad as the Iran-Lebanon game, but still bad enough to really slow down the game. Hope it doesn't rain for the Iran-Spain matchup since that would neutralize our speed.

Wouldnt exactly help Spains passing game either

[Gotham]

AFC is featuring Iran's U17 as its front cover on their website with respect to tomorrow's game.

http://www.the-afc.com/

[sarbaz]

Like i said before

If our U-17 beats Spain then i will become a real believer

[diz]

Like i said before

If our U-17 beats Spain then i will become a real believer

wow, you're hard to please! After beating Mexico twice, France, and Germany...it's time to believe

[khodam]

Like i said before
If our U-17 beats Spain then i will become a real believer

In that we already have one of the best in the world? If Spain beats Iran, they might as well win the title. Look at the other 158 countries who are not here. Then you start to believe

[ehsan singapore]

In that we already have one of the best in the world? If Spain beats Iran, they might as well win the title. Look at the other 158 countries who are not here. Then you start to believe

i agree, iran has to life the cup then they believe we have a good u-17, you want to believe, i give you a stat, we are the only asian team left, and we only let in 2 goals and hammered germany 4-0 beat mexico 2-1 which has a good team, we can beat spain,if you don't believe where are the rest asian teams?let me guess either didn't make it past group stage or like japan got knock out, i believe japan had a good team losing on penalties is hard, but england is good they are in semi final now

[BacheLot]

That brilliant team performance vs Germany, is honestly what gives me the most hope of a favorable result in tomorrow’s game...!
If boys show up confident & play for each other well as they did vs ze Germans, these Spanish pansies won’t stand a chance.

[PersianLegion]

That brilliant team performance vs Germany, is honestly what gives me the most hope of a favorable result in tomorrow’s game...!
If boys show up confident & play for each other well as they did vs ze Germans, these Spanish pansies won’t stand a chance.

You do realize Spain is champion of Europe U17 not Germany.

[BacheLot]

You do realize Spain is champion of Europe U17 not Germany.

farghi nadareh, agge ooonjoori game o approach o bazi konim..!!
key is not to get wooed by the Spain, Germany big NAME (from Football perspective) and our boys show up against them confidently..! yet they gotta be careful Confidence doesnt turn into Arrogance and resorting to Takravis/khoreghies and individualistic play as in our first group game vs Guinea..!!

[inarsenewetrust]

any training pics/vids?

[Tehranto]

You do realize Spain is champion of Europe U17 not Germany.

You do realize that Spain only beat Germany through penalty shootout.

Which means they were essentially equal during the 90 minutes.

[Iran_19]

You do realize that Spain only beat Germany through penalty shootout.

P.K at 90th minute.