Somewhat ironically, there is a continental match-up with the finalists form the UEFA Euro U17 Final earlier this year, Spain and Germany facing each other in the second game on Wednesday. It looks like the pick of the round. They drew 2-2 in the group phase at the Euros, then 0-0 in the final before Germany triumphed on penalties. Giulia Gwinn has scored in each match for Germany in Jordan, the only player in the competition to do so, while Spain’s team has the tournament’s top scorer in five-goal Lorena Navarro (pictured in action against Jordan). And Spain have conceded only once. Something has to give but it’s too close to call.
Also on Wednesday, Central America plays South America when Mexico meets Venezuela, with two of the tournament’s most vivacious talents on show. Mexico topped Group A, with ten goals in three matches and spearheaded impressively by Jacqueline Ovalle and also beat Venezuela in two friendlies in the run up to Jordan, so they are surely favourites for this game. However, with star striker Deyna Castellanos (now the competition ‘s all-time leading scorer after her spectacular strike against Canada, with nine goals in nin appearances) in the side, Venezuela should never be written off.
We’ll preview Thursday’s games in more depth tomorrow and remember you can watch the games LIVE on Eurosport. The line-up is:
U17 WWC QUARTER-FINALS
Wednesday 12 October (Amman International Stadium, Amman)
14:00 (UK time), Mexico v Venezuela
17:00, Germany v Spain
Thursday 13 October (Al Hassan International Stadium, Irbid)
14:00, Korea DPR v Ghana
17:00, Japan v England
