Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Soccer Futbol Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
2011 U17 World Cup
Topic Started: May 17 2011, 08:22 PM (1,444 Views)
chacal
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
Huge celebrations tonight in Mexico as they won their 2nd U17 World Cup title after defeating Uruguay 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca. An impressive 100,000 fans watching the U17 Final. Uruguay put up a spirited game but Mexico's passing and teamwork urged on by the amazing fan support led El Tri to the victory. Julio Gomez, the hero of the amazing semifinal win was voted player of the tournament. In the upcoming season we will see some of these players making their way into first division clubs lineups.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Merengue
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
Well done to Mexico, the amazing thing I just read was they were the first U17 team to win the World Cup on home soil. You would think, especially at this age group when players can be even more subject to nerves, that home field advantage would really matter. Nigeria lost the last U17 World Cup on home soil but mexico are the first to win it in front of their home fans.

FIFA's awards for top three players were a clean sweep for Mexico too:

Gold ball: Julio Gomez
Silver Ball: Jorge Espericueta
Bronze Ball: Carlos Fierro

Yet in the final I thought Mexico's best player was their captain and scorer of the first goal Antono Briseno. And Germany's Samed Yesil should have been one of the recipients of the award for top three players in the tournament.
http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Martin
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
The final was the only complete game I saw from the U-17 World Cup but full credit to Mexico for winning the trophy. I am not sure how successful this group wil be as they become more developed but there are some good players on the team, Fierro and Briseno, the latter who Merengue also mentioned, both caught my eye. There may not be anybody at Giovani Dos Santos' level on this team but I would hope these players noticed the struggles both Giovani and Carlos Vela had as teenagers in Europe and that they should remain home in Mexico for some more time so that they can further develop their game.

Like Mexico's U-20 team in CONCACAF qualifying, I think the strength of this U-17 team lies less with individual stars than with excellent collective play. That has been a recent trend at all levels with Mexican futbol and is I think a big reason why the nation is enjoying increased success.

Surprising to read that Mexico became the first host nation to win the U-17 title. You really would expect home field advantage would be particularly helpful at this age group.
Club Sportivo Desamparados
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dr. Z
Advanced Member
[ *  *  * ]
7 games played 7 victories for Mexico's sub17 champions. A real joy they brought to fans across Mexico and those Mexicans living in the US. Team play was key to their success, head coach Raul Gutierrez, a defender for Atlante and America, built a good all around team. But as others wrote there also is a lot of talent on this team. Watching them grow will be entertaining. Martin makes a good point though about how much Vela and Gio Dos Santos struggled after going to Europe, well Giovani already was there before the 2005 sub 17 World Cup, but going so young to Europe is not the be all and end all. There will be time later on for a move and I think these players will follow the example of Chicharito Hernandez in first establishing themselves in Mexico before looking for a place overseas.

Briseno, a centerback from Atlas with a steadying influence at the back and good on set piece plays, hmm where have we seen that before? :P

If he can have half the career Rafa Marquez has had then he will become an excellent player. I too also was impressed with Fierro, whose looks but not style of play, remind me of a young Ricardo Pelaez. And Sr. Late Game Winner, Julio Gomez? He seems to be adopting the bandaged head look as his new style! Even at yesterday's victory parade there was Gomez still wearing a bandaged head band!
Poniendo el pecho a las balas!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · General Soccer Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply