Need both countries to lose for Dutch u17 to qualify...? Gulp I just checked, Mexico is up against Solomon Island. Is that even a real country? Tajikistan will face Argentina.
It's apparently either of the two. If Argentina beats Tajikistan OR Mexico fails to beat Solomon Island, Oranje is through. So in truth the chances are still quite high, especially in reference to Argentina vs Tajikistan. I can't see Mexico not beating Solomon Island, but who knows. I hope it happens. We saw in Euro 2016 with Portugal that thanks to this new format you can suck up the start of a tournament (or in their case the whole tournament) and still win. I'd like to see if they can grow into their 'favorietenrol' more.
I see Chile and the Netherlands on third with same point and game difference and goals scored and conceded. Who is going to progress if there is only one spot left?
Most likely scenario is that Mexico wins today, they then wind up advancing and New Zealand is knocked out of the best 3rd place finishers: https://www.flashscore.com/football/world/world-cup-u17/ Its the goal differential thats saving Oranje
All this presupposes an Argentina win over Tajikistan. A Mexico win and Tajikistan draw leave the Dutch even with Chile for the fourth spot. I guess this means a coin flip to see who goes through.
I've heard rumors that the Netherlands will lose out based on cards received, but I have no idea if this has been confirmed. Unfortunate they couldn't get that 5th goal, that would have guaranteed them a spot. Missed penalty, shot against the post... too bad! I have a bad feeling Argentina will be unmotivated and weird stuff can happen.
Yes, it goes by fair play points. Bogarge picked up a RC in the 2nd match which dooms the Dutch in case of a tie with Chile. I think it comes down to a Argentina win being necessary. Dutch have themselves to blame for two very poor performances.
Definitely, they should have done much better. Although in fairness their group is one of the more difficult. Some of those other 3rd place teams are much less deserving considering the super easy 4th place opponent they were gifted. But absolutely a team like this Oranje should never have allowed themselves to get into this position. I still can't help but feel that if they make it through they can really grow in the tournament.
Its gonna be Oranje vs Nigeria on Wednesday. Should be exciting! I'm always weary of African teams at the youth level. Hoping for a good result, would like to see more of this team.
Nigeria will be tough, they have won the most U17 world cups in history (5 of them). They are also known to field players who are much older than 17, but they get away with it by faking birth records (allegedly of course). Technology is catching up with them though: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/artic...-17-squad-wiped-out-as-half-are-older-than-17 https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/In...0-nigeria-u-17-players-fail-age-test-20180817 Senegal too: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50082181
Wow I wasn't aware of either of those facts. But yeah I am definitely weary of the African teams at this level. They seem to always be physically far ahead of the European teams, whether that is fairly or unfairly. Its gonna be a tough game for sure.
And how many of those fake birth champions in the end made it as players that signed with big money paying clubs? It may look smart to win titles by fielding in fact physically far more matured guys but it's a vain victory if that physical leg up isnot combined with truly football qualities. Those "winners" in the end are the loosers as once they have to show the goods against players of the same physical maturity that ill gotten advantage is gone and you get exposed for what your true soccer qualities are. Nigeria anyway is a nation of liars and cheaters when it comes to soccer. They continually try to hype even very young kids like those that "played" at Feyenoord, with throwing around names of top clubs interested in them, even telling the KNVB is chasing them to get Dutch nationality etc. Hope our boys break them, just as a kick in the balls of those cheats.
Hansen with another incredible match. Nigeria the much better team but Raatsie was fantastic. Was very aggressive which paid off big time and made some huge saves. Nigeria carved up the defense with great runs through the middle but Raatsie kept reading it and bailed the defense out. Braaf didn't have the strongest game but man is he ever a great prospect. Has it all to become a star. Taabouni will miss next game with the yellow card. He has been one of the weakest players so will be interesting to see someone else in that spot. He just doesn't read the game well enough and is sloppy.
Wow, incredible result! Confidence must be high going into the next round. How do you guys rate Sontje Hansen?
I would say that he's quite unlucky fit-wise that in Netherlands there's a preference of playing with two wingers - he's very good prospect as a winger, but he's really superior when he plays as a second striker or false 9 what's on display past two games - he's great in terms of moving without a ball, playing with second line, getting back deep to contribute in playmaking and he looks like a good finisher as well, and obviously very good technically. I'd love to see him a year or two from now in this position-less offense of Ajax, but I think his optimal position is 2nd striker. As a winger, I think Braaf is better prospect - he's really well-rated in City, and he's superior to Hansen physically. Nice win, but still far away from a level from Euro Champs, there was no control of a game and a bit lucky at certain moments.
Good result!! The match was not on television here and I was at a meeting anyway. Good to see Hansen get off the mark. Ajax U-19s drew with Chelsea today and six of the players on this WC team probably would have played in that match!
Up next for the Dutch u17... Argentina or Paraguay. Bring on!! I haven't really been following this tourney except a few minutes of the first match v. Japan (which was terrible!), but now the kids are doing well, I should be paying attention again!
Yes it was. It was on Fox Sports Soccer. I had to watch it on that channel as well because its not being broadcasted in NL either AFAIK