Two times former Champions, El Tri of Mexico may chain the Red Devils of Korea in the second quarterfinals scheduled for midnight on Sunday at the Estádio Kléber Andrade, VITORIA-Brazil in the 18th edition of the world U17 male championship.
The Red Devils only lost to France 1-3 but won three of their four matches beating Haiti 2-1; Chile fell same margin while Angola narrowly lost to them 0-1 in the round of 16 games. The Devils scored 6 goals and conceded 5. Korea came from group C that had a total of 20 goals. Korea has not scored more than two goals in a match and that means any goal scoring team that can score three in a match will oust them.
The Devils in their 5th appearances had made the quarters twice in 1987 (0-2) to Italy and 2009 (1-3) to Nigeria with a round of 16 in 2015. They were continental champions in 1986 and 2002; twice Silver medalists in 2008 and 2014; 4th place in 1998 and 2018.
Mexico were world champions twice in 2005 and 2011; Silver medalists in 2013; 4th in 2015; twice Quarterfinalists in 1999 and 2003; as well as twice in R16 in 2009 and 2017. Mexico was CONCACAF champions eight times in 1985, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. (Mexico won the title 4 consecutive times). These are intimidating credentials compared to what the Red Devils parade.
Mexico, also known as Hero Boys won only two games, the 8-0 bashing of Katukatus of Solomon Island (the highest goal scored by any team in a single match in this particular tournament) as well as beating Japan 2-0. The team played a barren draw with Paraguay in their opener but lost to Italy 1-2.Mexico scored 11 goals and conceded 2. They and France share the 3rd and 4th positions as second rate highest individual team scorers – 11goals each. Alvarez is Mexico’s highest scorer with three goals, Molina and Lopez has two each.
Statistically, Mexico is better having 27-16 shots on target; ball possession 200-161 meaning they control games and 26-13 corners which shows the Devil are really in soccer trouble. But the Mexicans are rough getting red cards in each of their first two games though Korea bagged a red too in their first match. Korea has 6 yellows while Mexico had 5. The Koreans are stubborn but Mexico has only 2 goals against them meaning that they have a solid defense.
No matter the motives of the Red Devils of Korea, the Mexican performance looks it will be contained.
There is a suspicion that this match may attract goals with Korea getting their usual two but the insatiable knack for goals of the Mexicans will surely chain the Red Devils of the Asian continent.
-ENIOLA OLATUNJI.
