Preview Mali U-17 Vs Mexico U-17: The Former Usik Eagle Mission

JAKARTA - Mali U-17's dream of winning the 2023 U-17 World Cup will be tested in the knockout stages. Mexico U-17 could be their stumbling block.

Mali U-17 and Mexico U-17 will meet in the round of 16 of the 2023 U-17 World Cup at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium (GBT) on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 15.00 WIB.

Mali U-17 could reach the knockout stages of the competition after becoming runners-up in Group B. They trailed Spain U-17 after securing two wins and losing one.

The only defeat in their group phase suffered when they met Spain U-17 on the second matchday. Meanwhile, two wins were bagged against Uzbekistan U-17 and Canada U-17, respectively.

In those three games they conceded two goals and scored eight goals. Their striker, Mamadou Doumbia, is a player Mexico U-17 should watch out for if they get playing minutes.

The player with the jersey number 17 was a hat-trick scorer when the U-17 Mali submerged Uzbekistan U-17 with a score of 3-0. He is likely to play against Mexico U-17 after missing the group's final game against Canada U-17.

On the other hand, Mexico U-17, which has twice tasted the title in this tournament, advanced to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group F. They collected four points from each win, lose, and draw.

Despite being a former champion, Mexico U-17 started their journey at the 2023 U-17 World Cup with unsatisfactory results. Raul Chabrand's men immediately lost 1-3 in the first match against Germany U-17.

They then got a draw against Venezuela U-17 in the second match. Luckily, their fate survived thanks to a 4-0 win over New Zealand U-17 in the final match of the group phase.

Mexico U-17 is most likely to return to relying on Stephano Carrillo in attack. The striker has so far scored three goals for El Tri so that it will be a great danger for Mali U-17 if played from the start.

Formation Forecast

Mali U-17 (4-4-2): Bourama Kone; Moussa Traore, Issa Traore, Baye Coulibaly, Souleymane Sanogo; Ibrahim Kanate, Hamidou Makalou, Sekou Kone, Ibrahim Diara; Mamadou Doumbia, Mahamoud Barry

Coach: Soumaila Coulibaly

Mexico U-17 (4-3-3): Paolo Bedolla; Jose Suarez, Adrian Ortellao, Luis Navarlette, Javen Romero; Luis Ortiz, Isaac Martinez, Joseos; Brandon Lomeli, Stephano Carrillo, Fidel Barajas

Coach: Raul Chabrand