Under-17 WC: Paraguay look for 3rd straight win against struggling Turkey

Assured of a pre-quarterfinal spot, Paraguay's unbeaten team would aim to end its group B engagements on a perfect note when it takes on a struggling Turkey in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

After defeating Mali 3-2 and New Zealand 4-2, the South American team, one of the favourites to lift the title, will be looking to dominate Turkey.

Paraguay have displayed an attacking game in both the games, with their strikers and in-form players Anibal Voga and Leonardo Sanchez, netting the ball at all the right times.

But their coach Gustavo Morinigo would expect that his boys are not over-enthusiastic and defend well.

Paraguay's defence was breached twice by African under-17 champions Mali in the opening game and their coach has stated that this was an area which needed to be worked on.

"I am very concerned with the defence and I realise that we are risking too much and are open. My strikers,I know, can score goals. For the next game, we need to work more on our defence and tactics," Morinigo told reporters after the game against Kiwis.

But overall, the South American team has been unstoppable and with their berth confirmed in the next round, they would be eager to finish the league engagements on a high.

Turkey, on the other hand, will be looking to register their first win and keep their slim chances alive in the tournament.

After being beaten 3-0 by Mali, Turkey need to regroup but will have a stiff task in hand. Their coach has admitted that the players from opposition teams are physically well-built and in this game, this factor will again play a crucial role.

Teams (from):

Paraguay: Diego Huesca, Jesus Rolon, Roberto Fernandez, Pedro Alvarez, Alexis Duarte, Braian Ojeda, Antonio Galeano, Stevens Gomez, Fernando Romero, Julio Baez, Leonardo Sanchez, Angel Roa, Marcelo Rolon, Victor Villasanti, Luis Zarate, Anibal Vega, Fernando Cardozo, Blas Armoa, Jonathan Martinez, Giovanni Bogado, Alan Rodriguez.

Turkey: Berke Ozer, Emirhan Civelek, Melih Gokcimen, Sahan Akyuz, Ozan Kabak, Sefa Akgun, Ahmed Kutucu, Kerem Kesgin, Malik Karaahmet, Atalay Babachan, Recep Gul, Eren Bilen, Ismail Cokcalis, Umut Gunes, Yunus Akgun, Sezer Taskolu, Egehan Gok, Abdussamed Karnucu, Berk Cetin, Embiya Ayyildiz, Ozan Oruc.

Match starts at 1700.

USA look to keep clean slate, must-win game for Colombia

Title contenders, USA would like to keep their all-win record intact against a desperate Colombia, who are unlikely to settle for anything less than a victory in a group A encounter of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

USA are already through to the round of 16 with back-to- back win against hosts India (3-0) and Ghana (1-0).

Colombia on the other hand had lost to Ghana 0-1 in their opening encounter before getting full points against India with a narrow 2-1 win.

With Ghana likely to press hard for a win against India, Colombia would like to win the US encounter rather than wait for the best third place result.

With their berth in the next round confirmed, USA would be eager to play aggressive brand of football and challenge their South American opponents from the onset.

Captain and striker Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, son of former FIFA World Player of the Year and Liberia great George Weah, will be eager to pump home a few more goals before the knock out rounds start.

A win against Colombia will be a morale booster for USA before their clash in the next round and the coach would expect that his boys end the group stage on a high note.

To stay alive in the tournament, they would need a win and that is what the players will aim for.

Colombia have so far competed in five editions of the tournament, finishing third on two occasions.

The first to land in India for the tournament, Colombia have acclimatised themselves with the conditions, though they started the tournament with a reverse.

To better that record, Colombians will need to defeat USA tomorrow. They also have equally strong side with good defenders and attackers. They will have to gel well script something sensational.

Teams (from)

Columbia: Nicolas Gomez, Andres Cifuentes, Guillermo Tegue, Christian Andrade, Thomas Gutierrez, Andres Perea, Leandro Campaz, Luis Lopez, Santiago Barrero, Brayan Gomez, Juan Penaloza, Kevin Mier, Robert Mejia, Yadir Meneses, Gustavo Carvajal, Fabian Angel, Deiber Caicedo, Deyman Cortes, Juan Vidal, Etilso Martinez, Daniel Melo.

USA: Alex Budnik, Carlos Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin Garces, Sergino Dest, Christopher Gloster, Jaylin Lindsey, James Sands, Tyler Shaver, Akil Watts, George Acosta, Taylor Booth, Christopher Durkin, Blaine Ferri, Chris Goslin, Indiana Vassilev, Ayo Akinola, Andrew Carleton, Jacobo Reyes, Bryan Reynolds, Joshua Sargent, Tim Weah.

Match starts at 2000.