2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Kamal’s Group – by – Group Pick and Preview: FIFA World Cup Soccer
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The second ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be taking place in a few weeks time, held twice a year since 2008 this is an international showcase of the immerging female talent the world has to offer. Unlike its senior male counterpart, this is only a 16-team tournament, which will make for a more exciting group stages then usual. I will be doing a group-by-group analysis of this year’s participants and also make some pre tournament selections of which teams I think will advance, so lets get started.
Group A will boast the hosts Trinidad & Tobago as well as the defending champions in North Korea. Joining them will be Nigeria and Chile.
Group A
Trinidad & Tobago
Nigeria
Chile
North Korea
T & T being the host nation didn’t have to go through qualifying, but that should not be held against them. This team is an unknown quantity, having never been to the World Cup. However, as it has been proven before in international soccer being a host nation is a driving force in it’s self. They have a very experienced coach in Even Pellerud, who has led both Norway’s and Canada’s senior women’s sides. With him leading Norway to the final in 1991 (lost to eventual champions USA) and leading Canada to a 4th place back in 2003 the Trinidad & Tobago FA is hoping to start building similar success at youth level.
Nigeria is the top dogs in African Women’s soccer, and will look to prove that in this tournament. They didn’t have a great time in the inaugural tournament, as they place third in a group that boasted Brazil, England and eventual champions North Korea. As the top team out of Africa once again they hope to have an easier run to the final, and although they are grouped against the defending champs again they should feel confident with the draw they’ve received. This squad as with any level of Nigerian soccer men’s or women’s boast size and power, they will surly be the “bullies” of the group and maybe the tournament.
As for Chile, they are another of those “new kids on the block”, but boast some real talented players. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if they advance out of this group, but it won’t be easy. This group formed only three years ago, which in international soccer isn’t very long at all. However, unlike other countries they didn’t just throw a team together they carefully cultivated the top talent the countries women had to offer. They owe a lot of this development to the U-20 men’s side that was so successful in 2007, this along with their bid for the 2008 U-20 Women’s World Cup bid and the Senior Men’s performance in South Africa this past summer has put Chile on the map.
Lastly there is North Korea; the defending champions have become a soccer power in the women’s game. This is a nation that is always covered in secrecy, but their talent is anything but. They play a fast paced, frenetic style that is very hard to defend. Although their players are on the smaller side they use this to their advantage and catch many teams off guard. Their confidence has grown, and they know they can beat teams like Brazil, England and the USA (who shockingly aren’t in this years competition). This is the class of the field, and they are now the hunted.
Teams to Advance: North Korea and Nigeria
Final Thoughts: Although this group looks straight forward, don’t sleep on Chile. They might look like they are a couple years away but this team is capable of surprising. In T&T’s case, we all know what host nations can do in a short tournament like the World Cup.