Germany and Korea Republic, two of the pre-tournament favourites will be keen to get off to winning starts when Group B matches in the Fifa Under-17 Women's kick off at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet,Tobago, today. Germany meets Mexico in the curtain raiser from 4pm and three hours later, South Africa tangles with Korea. The Germans, who finished third in UEFA qualifying for the Fifa Finals and third at the first Fifa Under-17 women's finals in New Zealand two years ago, will start as favourites to pick up three points against Mexico, which is competing in its first finals at this level.
Prior to their third placed finish at the 2010 qualifiers, Germany was crowned champions of Europe in both 2008 and 2009. However, in 2010 edition, Germany fell to the Republic of Ireland in the last four of the qualifying competition, but managed to book passage with a win over Holland in the third-place play-off. All told, the Germans won six of their eight qualifiers, scoring 22 goals and conceding only one. With their senior and Under-20 German women's team currently holding onto to Fifa titles, the Under-17 squad which placed fourth last time out is eager to go all the way this time around and become the first country to hold all the major titles in Fifa women's football.
The Mexicans on the other hand are fast becoming a force in the women's junior ranks and roared to the final of the Concacaf qualifying competition, beating 2008 runner-up USA, before eventually losing out by the only goal in a fierce final with champions Canada. Another team to watch for the crown, South Korea, and little fancied South Africa will do battle in the second match at Bacolet. With four wins and a draw in the qualifiers, the South Koreans bagged an astonishing 23 goals while conceding only two. Asked about the prospect of his side emulating the success of Germany 2010 where Korea's Under-20 ended third, Choi Duk-Joo, the coach of the Under-17 squad dubbed the "Taeguk Girls" was cautiously optimistic and said his team has to do well, too,".
"The U-20 players did well to claim third place in Germany and my players followed all the games on television while we were training in the USA. I think they could build up the confidence enough to go out there and achieve good results, although they should feel a bit of pressure." Our goal is to reach the final and win it. I think we can go all the way if we prepare well before the finals. South African women's sides have consistently threatened to qualify for a Fifa finals but have been left hanging at the last hurdle, just unable to cross the threshold to the world stage. Now, though, the Under-17 women have broken the ice and at a time of much euphoria in South Africa following a successful hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
