FIFA U-17 World Cup Quaterfinal Preview: USA vs England

Josh Sargent’s USA U-17 will be competing with Angel Gomes' England U-17 for a place in the semi-finals in a battle of two potential champions at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup resumes with two mouthwatering quarterfinal clashes after a 2-day break. In the first bout of the day, Mali will be up against fellow Africans Ghana in Guwahati while in the other game of the day the USA square off against title contenders England in Goa.

Match II: USA U-17 vs England U-17

It has been an easy ride for the Americans in this World Cup except for the mauling at the hands of the Columbians on Matchday 3. Although, they finished third in the group that had the host nation India as well. The USA have been impressive keeping clean sheets in three of the four games they have played this tournament.

The story has been pretty much the same for the English teens as well. They easily topped their group before getting past Asian giants Japan on penalties. Angel Gomes and Co. will have to up the ante against a side that has been tough to score against this tournament.

Team News

Brandon Vazquez is expected to continue missing the tournament for the USA because of a hamstring problem. However, full-backs Christopher Gloster and Jaylin Lindsey who missed the previous game are expected to be back in the lineup. The USA will play with their usual 4-2-3-1 attacking formation with Josh Sargent leading the line.

England have no players missing the game except for departed starlet Jadon Sancho who has gone back to Borussia Dortmund after the group-stage.

Head-to-Head

This is the first meeting of the two sides.

Man to Watch

Timothy Weah-USA: Son of the 1995 World Player of the Year George Weah, Timothy Weah has risen to the big occasion for the Americans as he scored a brilliant hat-trick in the round of 16 clash against Paraguay. Much will be expected from him again when he returns to the field against the English U-17 side.

Curtis Anderson-England: The 17-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper was the star of the round of 16 match between England and Japan. Anderson confidently saved a penalty from Hinata Kida before scoring one himself. The shot-stopper will once again have to be at his best against the high scoring Americans.

Probable Lineups

USA U-17: Garces (GK), Lindsey, Durkin, Sands, Gloster, Carleton, Ferri, Goslin, Akinola, Sargent, Weah.

England U-17: Anderson (GK), Guehi, Latibeaudiere, Sessegnon, Panzo, McEachran, Foden, Oakley-Boothe, Gomes, Hudson-Odoi, Brewster.

Broadcast

The match will be telecast live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 3 at 20:00 hours IST.

Also Read

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Other Matches

Match 1: Mali U-17 vs Ghana U-17

Kickoff

21st October 2017, 17:00 IST

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.

Broadcast

The match will be telecasted live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 3 at 17:00 hours IST.