After nine days and an impressive ratio of 3.5 goals per match, the group stages of the U17 World Cup are over and it's time to get serious with some knockout football. From here, matches tied at full time will go straight to penalties.
The tournament hasn't been set ablaze so far and perhaps this is the time for real heroes. This is how the matchups look like.
October 18
Match 7: Ghana vs. Niger - 5pm, Mumbai
Ghana showed India how ruthless they can be. Fast and direct in attack, compact and miserly in defence. These boys look like they that can go all the way. Against first-timers Niger, Ghana should have it easy, but they must remember their last head-to-head encounter in the African qualifiers. Ghana got past Niger 6-5 on penalties after a goalless semi-final. Not so easy then?
Player to watch: Eric Ayiah (GHA)
Match 8: Brazil vs. Honduras - 8pm, Kochi
Nothing much to say here. Honduras have conceded 11 goals over three games and Brazil -- who have won all their games -- could well make that number swell to 15. Though anything can happen at this level, you can firmly place your bets on Brazil.
Player to watch: Paulinho (BRA)
Quarter-final lineup:
Oct 21, Guwahati: Mali v Winner Match 7
Oct 21, Goa: USA v England
Oct 22, Kochi: Spain v Iran
Oct 22, Kolkata: Germany v Winner Match 8
*All times are in IST
