The U17 World Cup draw last Wednesday provided Australia's under-17 Joeys team with a tough task in being pooled with South American champions Argentina, third placed African team Nigeria and second placed CONCACAF team Costa Rica for the tournament to be held in Finland in August. They face Argentina first-up, and while that sounds daunting, it's best to take on the power teams before they get settled and may under-estimate their opponents. Australia's generally been able to compete with South American opposition at youth levels, but it's the African teams that have been the main worry. However, Nigeria being only third ranked from Africa, seems winnable. So too does Costa Rica - from a region that's rarely troubled Australian teams. But the truth is you just can't tell at this level. In the 1999 tournament in New Zealand, Australia lost to Brazil in their first game, before beating Mali and Germany to top the group, to ultimately lose the final against Brazil on penalties. Some years, like in 1997, Australia has not even qualified.
To commemorate the draw, Australia played a friendly against the hosts Finland, and won 2-1. They led 2-0 at half time courtesy of goals by Melbourne Knights striker Serkan Oksuz in the 35th and and 42nd minute. Finland pulled one back in the 78th minute. The match was played on the artificial grass in Helsinki's Toolo Stadium - the venue for the final.
Two days later, the two teams matched again, this time in Rauma, with Finland turning the tables to win 1-0. In a match of few chances, Finland scored from the spot in the 58th minute, whilst Australia's best chance came in the 30th minute when Kristian Sarkie's free kick was tipped over the bar. More on these two games at Soccer Australia's website.
With regards to the World Cup itself, a result - even a draw - against Argentina, whom the play first up, should set them up. African teams are often dangerous for Australia in the past. Always been a good record over CONCACAF teams at all levels.
It was bound to happen - an early exit by one of our youth teams. After a 2-0 loss to Argentina, and then a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria, the Joeys are already eliminated from the U17 World Cup even before their final game against Costa Rica. The team were out-classed against Argentina, though, were slightly unlucky against Nigeria. They led after a minute, and could have gone 2-up via a one-on-one opportunity, but ended up conceding two second half goals. Their only hope is that they don't do a 2000-Olyroos and lose all three games. Who knows, that may lead Fifa to remove Oceania's direct spot to the U17 World Cup for poor performance.
Already eliminated from the tournament after losses to Argentina and Nigeria, the Joeys ended their U17 World Cup campaign in dubious honour with a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica and yet another red card after the one against Argentina. Matt Hilton was sent off in the 39th minute, but the team survived until the 62nd before conceding a penalty. Unfortunately Australian failed to create any real chances throughout the game, and Costa Rica sealed the match in the 79th. The sad reality is that the team was never good enough and never looked a cohesive unit. Hopes are higher for the U21 team when they have their World Cup at the end of the year.
In an interesting footnote, while Argentina won the group by winning all three matches, the position for second place in that group was totally tied between Costa Rica and Nigeria. Unable to be split on goal difference, goals scored or match-up, the rarely used drawing of lots had to be used to separate the teams, with Costa Rica being the lucky recipient to advance.
13 Aug 03 17:30 TURKU ARG - AUS 2:0 (1:0)
13 Aug 03 20:00 TURKU CRC - NGA 1:1 (0:1)
16 Aug 03 15:00 TURKU AUS - NGA 1:2 (1:0)
16 Aug 03 17:30 TURKU ARG - CRC 2:0 (0:0)
19 Aug 03 17:30 TURKU NGA - ARG 0:1 (0:0)
19 Aug 03 20:00 TURKU AUS - CRC 0:2 (0:0)
Team GP W D L GF GA + / - Pts
Argentina 3 3 0 0 5 0 5 9
Costa Rica 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
Nigeria 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
Australia 3 0 0 3 1 6 -5 0
* Nigeria and Australia eliminated
23 Aug 03 14:00 HELSINKI COL - CRC 2:0 (2:0)
23 Aug 03 18:00 LAHTI ARG - MEX 2:0 (2:0)
24 Aug 03 14:00 TURKU BRA - USA 3:0 (1:0)
24 Aug 03 18:00 TAMPERE ESP - POR 5:2 (2:1)
27 Aug 03 17:00 TAMPERE COL - BRA 0:2 (0:1)
27 Aug 03 20:00 HELSINKI ARG - ESP 2:3 a.e.t. (2:2, 2:0)
30 Aug 03 13:00 HELSINKI COL - ARG 1:1 (0:1) 4:5 PSO
30 Aug 03 16:00 HELSINKI BRA - ESP 1:0 (1:0)