France U-17 Faces Colombia U-17 in Tactical Round of 32 Clash

DOHA, Qatar — France U-17 will play Colombia U-17 in the Round of 32 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Friday, November 14, at Aspire Zone – Pitch 1. This match is set to kick off at 5:30 a.m. PT (8:30 a.m. ET).

France enters the knockout stage following a mixed group performance. They started strong with a 2-0 victory over Chile but struggled subsequently, managing just a scoreless draw with Canada and a 1-0 loss to Uganda. The French team hopes to regain their attacking momentum to advance further in the tournament.

Colombia, on the other hand, finished the group stage unbeaten, drawing with both Germany and El Salvador before securing a decisive 2-0 win over North Korea. Their consistent performance makes them a formidable opponent for the French side.

Both teams are known for their skilled play and solid defensive setups, suggesting that this match will be a tactical battle. “It’s all about finding gaps in the opponent’s defense while maintaining our own structure,” explained Colombia’s coach Fredy Hurtado.

France’s roster has faced challenges, missing several star players kept by their clubs for domestic league commitments. However, coach Jean-Luc Rouxel feels confident in his remaining squad. Reports indicate that Metz prospect Believe Munongo and Troyes’ Christ Batola have made significant contributions so far.

Batola gained attention for his crucial free-kick goal against Chile, a highlight in an otherwise turbulent campaign for France. Despite only scoring two goals in their last three matches, the French team is hopeful of a breakout performance against Colombia.

As both teams prepare for this high-stakes match, the winner will advance to face the victor of the contest between Brazil and Paraguay in the Round of 16. This clash promises to be an exciting showcase of youth talent on the international stage.