FIFA U-17 World Cup: Iran declare title aspirations ahead of clash against Mexico

The Times of India – MARGAO, Iran coach Abbas Chamanian was surprisingly candid in admitting that his side can go all the way in the Fifa U-17 World Cup.

Iran has been the stand-out team in this edition with an all-win record in the league stages. The likes of England, Brazil and Paraguay have also had 100 percent win records in the three league matches but just about nobody has made heads turn like Iran. Their 4-0 annihilation of Germany remains the talking point, and as they come face to face with Mexico in the pre-quarterfinals at Fatorda on Tuesday, Chamanian didn’t hide his team’s ambitions.

“Why not?” the Iran coach shot back when asked if Iran can become the first team from Asia since Saudi Arabia in 1989 to win the U-17 World Cup. It surely won’t be easy with sharks from Africa, besides Brazil and England, circling around, but given Iran’s obvious strengths, their ambitions are not misplaced.

“Iran has talent. We have the quality and an excellent team that plays for each other. In every game, we will play the same way we played Germany,” said Chamanian, who since the start was carefully putting a lid on rising expectations.

Mexico should read that with some trepidation. Iran played them during a pre-tournament friendly in Spain and ran out 3-0 victors. Those who watched that ‘friendly’ say Iran hardly broke into a sweat, and playing their fourth match in a row at Fatorda, should be fairly comfortable against the Central Americans, despite missing out captain Mohammad Ghobeishavi for a second yellow card.

“The World Cup starts now. All teams who have qualified will kick-start their campaign with a clean slate. All teams have equal chances,” said Chamanian.

The Round of 16 suits fine for Mexico. They qualified with just two points – the least that anyone had – from their three group matches but coach Mario Arteaga believes they have done more than enough to merit a place among the qualifiers.

“Don’t forget that we qualified from one of the toughest group. Iraq played with six defenders and complicated things for us after scoring early. England scored three quick goals but we still gave them a scare in the second session. Against Chile, we were comfortable and knew we could qualify with a point. We didn’t take any risk,” said the Mexico coach.
Mexico have pedigree at this level. They won the U-17 World Cup in 2011 at home, the only team to have that honour, and if you believe their coach, the current squad is similar to the one that surprised the world six years ago.

“I know we lost to Iran (in Spain) but to be honest my objective was to prepare my team for the World Cup. Tomorrow will be a different story,” said Arteaga.