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Kolkata, October 15
European powerhouse France rallied from a goal down to hand a 5-1 drubbing on Honduras and qualify for the knockout stage as the group toppers in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
France had already booked a Round of 16 berth before today’s game but they now go into the knockout stage with an all-win record (nine points) in Group E. They will face Group D runners-up Spain — European qualifying tournament winners — in their Round of 16 match in Guwahati on October 17.
Honduras also through
Despite the loss, Honduras also qualified for the knockouts as one of the four best third-placed teams. They finished third in the group with three points.
France dominated the exchanges with 66 per cent possession and had 10 shots on target as compared to just three by Honduras.
Honduras took a surprise lead in the 10th minute through Carlos Mejia but France rallied and then outplayed the Central American rivals with five goals, three of them coming in the second half. Alexis Flips struck twice in the 23rd and 64th minutes while Wilson Isidor (14th), Amine Gouiri (86th) and Yacine Adli (90+6) were the other scorers.
Japan held by New Caledonia
Guwahati: Japan were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited New Caledonia but scraped through to the pre-quarterifinals from Group E. Keito Nakamura dribbled his way past the New Caledonia defence from the right to score for Japan in the seventh minute for his fourth goal in three matches. It looked like a walk in the park for the Japanese who toyed with the U-17 World Cup debutants. But it was not to be and Japan survived a second-half scare with New Caledonia making some incisive raids. Captain Jekob Jeno scored in the 83rd minute to earn a historic point for New Caledonia in their first U-17 World Cup appearance. The draw, however, was enough for the Blue Samurai juniors to seal a fourth pre-quarterfinal, for the first time since Mexico-2013 — in their eight U-17 World Cup appearances.
England dominate
Kolkata: England colts continued their domination crushing Iraq 4-0 in their final group F league encounter to set up a pre-quarterfinal date with Japan. Angel Gomes put the team ahead in the 11th minute while Emile Smith-Rowe doubled the lead (59th) on his World Cup debut. England sealed the issue with Daniel Loader (59th and 71st) scoring twice in a space of 12 minutes.
Chile ousted
Guwahati: Two-time champions Mexico played out a goalless draw in a high-intensity Group F final game but that was enough for them to qualify for the knockout stage. Mexico ended their their group engagements with just two points with two draws and finished third in Group F. They still qualified for the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. The Central American champions are the only side in this edition to qualify for the knockout round without a win.
