Second round of Group C and D games at Brazil 2019
Group C: French and Koreans face off for top spot
Group D: Senegal and Japan eye pole position
If the opening fixtures in Groups C and D were anything to go by, then Wednesday’s second round of games promises action and excitement aplenty.
After winning their opening fixtures, France and Korea Republic go head to head in Goiania, where the outright lead in Group C and a possible place in the last 16 will be up for grabs. In the section’s other match, Chile and Haiti will be aiming to kickstart their respective campaigns and keep their hopes of qualifying for the next round alive.
In Group D, meanwhile, opening-day losers the Netherlands and USA go up against Senegal and Japan, respectively in Vitoria. The African and Asian representatives look well placed to stamp their tickets to the knockout phase, while the Oranje and Stars and Stripes have very little margin for error.
📅 Games
30 October
Group C [[flag-kor-xs]] Korea Republic-France [[flag-fra-xs]] _(_Goiania/Serrinha, 17:00 local time) [[flag-chi-xs]] Chile-Haiti [[flag-hai-xs]] (Goiania/Serrinha, 20:00 local time)
Group D [[flag-ned-xs]] Netherlands-Senegal [[flag-sen-xs]] (Vitoria/Cariacica, 17:00 local time) [[flag-usa-xs]] USA-Japan [[flag-jpn-xs]] (Vitoria/Cariacica, 20:00 local time)
What you need to know
Of the eight teams in action on 30 October, Haiti are the only one never to have won a game at the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ – this despite having competed in the 2007 edition.
History will be on Japan’s side when they face USA, with the Asian champions having twice before defeated the Stars and Stripes during editions of this competition in the Americas. Their first win came in South America (2-1 at Ecuador 1995), while the second was in Central America (1-0 at Trinidad and Tobago 2001). Can they make it three from three?
🔎 Players to watch
Yamato Wakatsuki (Forward, Japan) The centre-forward completely and single-handedly dismantled the defence of reigning European champions the Netherlands in their opening Group D game. The Japanese star could well wreak havoc against a USA rearguard that looked ill at ease in their opener against Senegal.
Adil Aouchiche (Midfielder, France) The young Frenchman, who was top scorer at the UEFA European U-17 Championship with nine strikes, was dazzling against Chile last Sunday, despite not finding the target. Likely to figure prominently up front again tomorrow, you would not bet against him opening his scoring account against the Taeguk Warriors.