MARGAO: Goa hosts an intriguing Group ‘B’ of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup set to kick off on Tuesday.
Germany, Nigeria, New Zealand and Chile comprise the group that will go along group ‘D’ made up of France, Canada, Japan and Tanzania.
As was the case with the men’s U-17 World Cup five years ago, powerhouse Germany returned to Goa with their young ladies carrying the baton at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, where the country’s young men had an intriguing, though chequered campaign.
Surely enough, the Germany think-tank did their homework after speaking to members of the 2017 team for clues on the conditions here, so very different from those back home.
Said coach Friederike Kromp in a media conference at the venue on Sunday: “We watched Germany’s matches on TV back home in 2017 and we have interacted with the coaching staff and members of the team on conditions here,” she said.
“It’s about 15-20 degrees C in Germany at the moment and facing the humidity here is a challenge. This is the fourth day in India since we arrived and we have two more days before we play our first match – thankfully that’s at 8pm when it’s cooler.”
Jella Veit, the captain, began playing at five. It reflects the grassroots focus in Germany, “a football nation” in her words. “I took to the game because I found it a lot of fun. I still found it fun when I played my first game for Germany against Switzerland three years ago. It was an incredible feeling.”
Veit’s team are UEFA champions in the age group and adds to their fear factor associated with Germany – in any sport.
“We have a sports culture that provides opportunity to every child,” said Krompe. “And in football, we are lucky that it’s true for little girls too.”
The Germans are noted for technical adeptness and a regimented approach to training – an influence, perhaps, from their attitude towards education.
No surprise then that the squad has arrived with two teachers to attend to the girls’ who will catch up on school through online study.
First up for Germany are Nigeria, a stern challenge by any reckoning, especially going by the confidence radiated by Captain Alvine Dah Zossu.
“We are confident of giving Germany a very good fight,” she said. “I fear none of the teams because I think my team is the best,” was her spontaneous reply.”
Chile arrive from South America promising a dynamic style of play. Said Captain Catalina Figueroa, “We move around the pitch, switch positions and place ourselves in attacking places.
Coach Alex Castro revealed his team has trained together for a year and a month. “Our focus is to put pressure on the opponents,” he said.
That should present a handful for New Zealand who play Chile in the opening match of the tournament in Goa. But the Kiwis are doughty customers in any sport and the young ladies treading the soccer pitch bring in cross-codes from a variety of disciplines, not least from the rough-and-tumble world of rugby.
“Everyone’s excited to kick it off,” said Vice-Captain Kiara Bercelli. “All teams here are challenging. We’re training hard and doing what we can,” she said.
“We’re going to play one game at a time, try to qualify for the quarterfinals and take it from there.”
Coach Leon Birnie looks at it as a great opportunity for the girls. “We are going to play teams with different styles and that could shape their international careers,” he said.
