The
U-17 World Cup that was hosted in India has been nothing short of a spectacle.
The event that has set a predominantly cricket-based nation on fire, with the
crowds smashing all attendance records, this has surely been a tournament to
remember. Right from the opening game to semi finals and ultimately the final,
the event has seen football craziness on the highest level. The final of the U-17
World Cup has had more turnover than the final of the Cricket World Cup.
Young Brigade
Coming
to the teams that took part in the competition, everyone has been nothing else
but brilliant. Representing their countries at such a young age and playing riveting
football right from the start of the tournament, it was brilliant. Each and
every team managed to win the hearts of the fans and the brand of football displayed
by these youngsters was superb. The tournament deserved a fitting end and it indeed
got one with Spain and England making it to the finals of the tournament in Kolkata.
The match saw a packed Yuvabharati Krirangan cheering both the sides equally
and the noise level in the stadium was absolutely massive with an electric
atmosphere and the stadium shaking to its core.
Final Countdown
The
final saw England going down to Spain by 2 goals to nil and then making a
comeback that has seldom been witnessed in the finals of the Football World
Cup. The boys from Britain managed to ship in 5 goals and the match ended with
England being the runaway winners. The comeback set up by England was
absolutely mesmerizing and the brand of football that was displayed by both the
teams in the final was majestic. Both the teams chose to play open football
with pressing high up the pitch and staying attacks after attacks. This tempo
of the game was massive and it has been a worthy final.
England – True
Champion
The
entire English team was applauded by the football fans for their performances
and the brand of football that was out on display by them was fantastic. Rhian
Brewster from England managed to win the golden boot after scoring the maximum
number of goals in the tournament, which included two hat tricks in back to
back matches and a goal in the final. However, the player, who won the hearts
of every one with his brilliant footwork and skills with the ball, was
Manchester City academy product, Phillip Foden. Donning the number 7 Jersey for
the club and orchestrating the play for the team, the player was simply
brilliant.
His
agility and footwork kept teams on their toes throughout the tournament and the
passes put forward by him, which turned into assists, was nothing else but
brilliant. The player managed to score in the final as well after doing what he
does best: Orchestrating the run of play. Players like Kirby and Gomes were
rock solid in the centre of the pitch and dictated the terms of play, taking
the game to the opposition. Young sensation Jadon Sancho, another Manchester
City product now playing in Borussia Dortmund, had his tournament cut short due
to club duties. The player was brilliant with the ball as well.
Players
like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White gave their all and the
performance of the former in the final from the left wing was breathtaking. The
player has a lot of pace and agility that teared the Spanish defence. It was a
massive team effort that resulted in England lifting of the trophy.
