Switzerland, Colombia, Spain, Nigeria set for classic U-17 WC semi-finals
Switzerland, Colombia, Spain, Nigeria set for classic U-17 WC semi-finals
09:15, November 11, 2009 
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Ordinarily, Sunday's final of the U-17 World Cup in Abuja should be the highlight of the 13th edition of the championship but Thursday's semi-finals in Lagos would outstrip it.
If nothing else, the intriguing pairings should provide fans something to talk about for a long time to come.
Switzerland, just on their debut, made it to the semi-final, claiming the scalps of tested sides on their way to the epic game against Colombia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Colombia, the opponents of the Europeans, are in the semi-finals for the second time since 2003.
Nigeria and Spain will rekindle their rivalry, which was heightened two years ago in Seoul.
The Swiss have been one of the most exciting sides at the ongoing tournament.
The athleticism of the players is the delight of any coach and Dany Ryser has adequately deployed them to advantage.
They have been solid in all departments of the game. The attack has been lethal, the midfield inspirational in their buildup and an uncompromising rearguard, which could occasionally lose concentration.
They netted 11 goals in their group and round of 16 games and conceded six.
It was not so much the number of goals scored but their fighting ability as well as comportment under pressure that has contributed to their brilliant showing.
When Japan shot out a two-goal lead over the European debutants, many had thought that their tournament's 2-0 opening game victory over Mexico was a flash-in-the-pan, but they shocked Japan, conjuring up four goals before settling for a 4-3 win.
European champions Germany stretched them in the second round but the resilient Swiss hit home two extra time goals to triumph 4-3.
After the win over Germany, the modest Ryser, boasted that they would re-enact the European championship victory over Italy.
And on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode, they showed they were serious contenders for the crown when they halted Italy's campaign 2-1 for a place in Thursday's semi-final.
But their Colombian opponents are a different proposition entirely. The truth is that the Colombians are the only remaining South Americans in the tournament.
They are meeting a side that is equally good and resilient as they are. The Colombians boast a deadly attacking machine and a tight defense.
Finishing second in their group behind Iran, they sent out fellow South Americans, Argentina in round two before accounting for the exit of Turkey.
They have set a championship record of sorts here in Nigeria, scoring eight goals, five of which came in the last 12 minutes of their matches.
They overcame two-goal deficits in the matches against Argentina and Turkey before triumphing.
Their marksmanship is not in doubt as they scored all their five spot kicks in the penalty shootout against Turkey.
The clash between Nigeria and Spain is certainly a replay of their clash at the 2007 final tie in Seoul, where the Golden Eaglets came out tops after penalty shootout.
This will be their third meeting at the under-17 championship. Their first meeting dates back to 1995 and Nigeria won that tie 2-1 before the Seoul clash which ended scoreless in regular time.
Thursday's clash will be seventh between African and European sides at under-17 level with the Africans winning four of the six previous ties.
They have emerged the most prolific sides of the tournament, while Spain have netted 16 goals on their way to the semi-final, Nigeria have slotted home 14.
Nigeria has triumphed in their five previous semi-final appearances and the odds favour them in this sixth semi-final tie.
On the other hand, Spain is making their fifth semi-final under-17 appearance. Uruguay gave the Spaniards a scare on Monday in Kaduna before the penalty shootout, which saw them through.
The Eaglets survived South American, European and Asian opponents and are more than prepared for the Spanish opposition.
While Spain has fielded all their 21 registered players, the Eaglets have used only 16 of theirs.
The measure of the Nigerian team's proficiency could be discerned from the eight players, who have scored their 14 goals.
The Eaglets have set a championship record. Apart from topping the fair play ranking, they are the only hosts since 1989 that have advanced to the semi-finals.
Scotland, who finished runners-up in that tournament behind Saudi Arabia, was the last host to get to the semi-finals.
Source: Xinhua
If nothing else, the intriguing pairings should provide fans something to talk about for a long time to come.
Switzerland, just on their debut, made it to the semi-final, claiming the scalps of tested sides on their way to the epic game against Colombia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Colombia, the opponents of the Europeans, are in the semi-finals for the second time since 2003.
Nigeria and Spain will rekindle their rivalry, which was heightened two years ago in Seoul.
The Swiss have been one of the most exciting sides at the ongoing tournament.
The athleticism of the players is the delight of any coach and Dany Ryser has adequately deployed them to advantage.
They have been solid in all departments of the game. The attack has been lethal, the midfield inspirational in their buildup and an uncompromising rearguard, which could occasionally lose concentration.
They netted 11 goals in their group and round of 16 games and conceded six.
It was not so much the number of goals scored but their fighting ability as well as comportment under pressure that has contributed to their brilliant showing.
When Japan shot out a two-goal lead over the European debutants, many had thought that their tournament's 2-0 opening game victory over Mexico was a flash-in-the-pan, but they shocked Japan, conjuring up four goals before settling for a 4-3 win.
European champions Germany stretched them in the second round but the resilient Swiss hit home two extra time goals to triumph 4-3.
After the win over Germany, the modest Ryser, boasted that they would re-enact the European championship victory over Italy.
And on Sunday in Ijebu-Ode, they showed they were serious contenders for the crown when they halted Italy's campaign 2-1 for a place in Thursday's semi-final.
But their Colombian opponents are a different proposition entirely. The truth is that the Colombians are the only remaining South Americans in the tournament.
They are meeting a side that is equally good and resilient as they are. The Colombians boast a deadly attacking machine and a tight defense.
Finishing second in their group behind Iran, they sent out fellow South Americans, Argentina in round two before accounting for the exit of Turkey.
They have set a championship record of sorts here in Nigeria, scoring eight goals, five of which came in the last 12 minutes of their matches.
They overcame two-goal deficits in the matches against Argentina and Turkey before triumphing.
Their marksmanship is not in doubt as they scored all their five spot kicks in the penalty shootout against Turkey.
The clash between Nigeria and Spain is certainly a replay of their clash at the 2007 final tie in Seoul, where the Golden Eaglets came out tops after penalty shootout.
This will be their third meeting at the under-17 championship. Their first meeting dates back to 1995 and Nigeria won that tie 2-1 before the Seoul clash which ended scoreless in regular time.
Thursday's clash will be seventh between African and European sides at under-17 level with the Africans winning four of the six previous ties.
They have emerged the most prolific sides of the tournament, while Spain have netted 16 goals on their way to the semi-final, Nigeria have slotted home 14.
Nigeria has triumphed in their five previous semi-final appearances and the odds favour them in this sixth semi-final tie.
On the other hand, Spain is making their fifth semi-final under-17 appearance. Uruguay gave the Spaniards a scare on Monday in Kaduna before the penalty shootout, which saw them through.
The Eaglets survived South American, European and Asian opponents and are more than prepared for the Spanish opposition.
While Spain has fielded all their 21 registered players, the Eaglets have used only 16 of theirs.
The measure of the Nigerian team's proficiency could be discerned from the eight players, who have scored their 14 goals.
The Eaglets have set a championship record. Apart from topping the fair play ranking, they are the only hosts since 1989 that have advanced to the semi-finals.
Scotland, who finished runners-up in that tournament behind Saudi Arabia, was the last host to get to the semi-finals.
Source: Xinhua
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