FIFA Under-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 - Preview

Right, I’m pretty sure after all the drama from the senior World Cup Qualifier; we just can’t wait for the big tournament to start next year. Maybe for the time being, let us keep ourselves busy with the Under-17 version. At least there is something for us to talk about after the Under-20 missed out on Egypt earlier in the year.

It’s funny to think that despite the massive success we have achieved at the Under-20 level plus the two gold medal at the Olympics (Under-23) this particular World Cup title is one the only title to elude us. Our best finish in this tournament has only been in third place on three occasions (Italy 1991, Ecuador 1995 and Finland 2003).

Under the command of Jose Luis BROWN, Argentina qualified for this tournament with the best defensive record from the South America Under-17 Championship (conceding just four goals), in the process scoring 10 goals and winning four of their five games.

Here is the complete squad details

Goalkeeper
1 Damian MARTINEZ (Independiente)
12 Ignacio ARCE (Union De Santa Fe)
21 Jorge PUCHETA (Lanus)

Defenders
2 Leandro GONZALEZ PIREZ (River Plate)
3 Lucas KRUSPZKY (Independiente)
4 Leandro MARIN (Boca Juniors)
6 Esteban ESPINDOLA (River Plate)
13 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO (Banfield)
14 Federico RASMUSSEN (Lanus)

Midfielders
5 Jorge BALBUENA (Lanus)
7 Adrian CIRIGLIANO (River Plate)
8 Franco BITANCOURT (River Plate)
10 Sebastian GONZALEZ (San Lorenzo)
15 Esteban ORFANO (Boca Juniors)
16 Facundo QUIGNON (River Plate)
18 Gonzalo OLID APAZA (River Plate)
19 Nello SOSA (Estudiantes)

Forwards
9 Daniel VILLALVA (River Plate)
11 Sergio ARAUJO (Boca Juniors)
17 Guido DAL CASON (Quilmes)
20 Eduardo ROTONDI (Argentinos Juniors)

I have to admit that I don’t have the in-depth knowledge about the squad. I do know that among the players look out for are keeper Damian MARTINEZ and captain Esteban ESPINDOLA. Both players are crucial for our back line as it was largely to their contribution that we excel during the qualifying tournament. Not to forget star forward Daniel Alberto VILLALVA was the top scorer with three goals and he already has abundance of experience at senior level from his club River Plate.

For the record, we are in Group A which is the most toughest group in the tournament comprising of the host Nigeria and current European holders Germany. But first, we will face Honduras. Be sure to check out our match preview and more news coming from this tournament.