The totally unofficial U17 World Cup Thread

[dazby]

I watched the Czechs and Kiwis play a pulsating game this morning. 1-0 to the Czech's. I saw England had a 2-2 draw with Canada. Anyone watch it?

[Ted Hughes]

Didn't realise this had started. Don't know if it's on TV here or not, I'll have to look out for it. We have a couple of players in the England squad, Alex Henshall being one & by all accounts he's got a chance of developing into quite a player if he keeps progressing. I think most of our best prospects are in that age group & below.

[StrikeAnywhere]

I watched the Czechs and Kiwis play a pulsating game this morning. 1-0 to the Czech's. I saw England had a 2-2 draw with Canada. Anyone watch it?

I thought we were very unlucky. Czech keeper was outstanding and I was very impressed with our young lads.

[mr_nool]

Didn't realise this had started. Don't know if it's on TV here or not, I'll have to look out for it. We have a couple of players in the England squad, Alex Henshall being one & by all accounts he's got a chance of developing into quite a player if he keeps progressing. I think most of our best prospects are in that age group & below.

It's on Eurosport - at least on the Dutch version.

[Ted Hughes]

Didn't realise this had started. Don't know if it's on TV here or not, I'll have to look out for it. We have a couple of players in the England squad, Alex Henshall being one & by all accounts he's got a chance of developing into quite a player if he keeps progressing. I think most of our best prospects are in that age group & below.

It's on Eurosport - at least on the Dutch version.

Oh right cheers. I'll have a look.

[dazby]

Cheating diving bastard Brazilians. It obviously gets instilled at an early age.

[1950]

Classic english goalkeeping:

[youtube]Z_vmCPUrP8I[/youtube]

[dick dastardley]

Classic english goalkeeping:

[youtube]Z_vmCPUrP8I[/youtube]

hes as bad as that u21 keeper we had last week

[twosips]

Terrible - though to be fair that's a proper odd bounce.

[Manx Blue]

Germany and Burkina Faso was on UK Eurosport last night

[Ted Hughes]

Just watched Singapore U16's beat Juventus in another tournament. Amazing that although Juve were fitter there was more natural talent in the Singapore team. Worth looking at a couple of those lads & giving them a trial. One lad had a touch of the David Silvas about him.

[HeyMark]

Just watched Singapore U16's beat Juventus in another tournament. Amazing that although Juve were fitter there was more natural talent in the Singapore team. Worth looking at a couple of those lads & giving them a trial. One lad had a touch of the David Silvas about him.

I always find it surprising that with a such a large population in Asia etc that there haven't been more quality players coming out of there

[dazby]

You guys are obviously not watching this tournament. England have got through the group.

If the Aussies can beat Denmark tomorrow we are through.

[dazby]

....and the Kiwis knock the USA out. Choice eh bro.

[Slim]

....and the Kiwis knock the USA out. Choice eh bro.

Cheers

Just sayin.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

You guys are obviously not watching this tournament. England have got through the group.

If the Aussies can beat Denmark tomorrow we are through.

I am watching it as much as I can mate. They are just on poor times for me and when I was watching the recording of Argentina - France my missus pointed out that she understands it but I might be better off not telling people that I actually go through trouble of recording 17 year old boys in shorts.

England - Argentina should be cracking game by the way. Despite that video, England looked quite good against Canada and Argentina was excellent against France.

Generally though, U17 tournament is fun to watch but extremely misleading. Surprisingly few of these players will ever make it in professional football, never mind into world stars. Sixteen is such hard age to judge potential talent as they are still in different stages of growth and they get these bursts in their developement ie someone can really up their game in few months and some star of this tournament finds drinking, smoking and girls and they go rapidly downhill.

[dazby]

Antti, I just love the way they play without fear, with pace and are tactically naive at the back which means chances galore.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Antti, I just love the way they play without fear, with pace and are tactically naive at the back which means chances galore.

I know mate. They play like teenage boys live their lives. Taking tons of risks, completely forgetting what they are instructed to do and first and foremost they are motivated by testosterone fuelled need to gain upper hand from another young male of same age. I remember when I was playing that around this time dribbling was really ambitious and challenges were wild. Especially in training. It's almost impossible to tell them to "calm down". Teenage boys don't know how to calm down or fear for the future.

[Tokyo Blue]

Am I imagining things or did I really see Japan beat Argentina 3-1 on the news this morning?

[dazby]

Yep, the Argies are OUT and Japan topped the group.