Canadian U-17 FIFA U-17 World Cup Prediction U-17 Vs Mali U-17: Stay Optimistic Without Mamadou Doumbia

The U-17 Mali national team remains optimistic despite losing Mamadou Doumbia in the last match against Canada U-17 in Group B of the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Mali had no other choice but to win the match which was held at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, Thursday, November 16 at 16.00 WIB.

Without Doumbia, Mali U-17's goal productivity was immediately jammed. Mali U-17 lost 1-0 against Spain U-17 after Doumbia got a red card in that match.

The defeat made Mali stuck in second place with point three. Similar to Uzbekistan U-17 who won 3-0 over Canada U-17. But Mali is still ahead of goal difference so Canada is in third place.

The fate of both teams was determined in the last match when Mali met Canada, who would have been eliminated because they had not got any points at all. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan is struggling against Spain, which will definitely qualify for the last 16.

Uzbekistan's match will still be held at Stadio Manahan, Solo. The match hours were no different from Mali against Canada which was held in Surabaya.

Mali Soumalia coach Coulibaly said the team remained optimistic about qualifying for the knockout round.

This belief is inseparable from Mali's good performance who played with 10 people but still managed to keep up with Spain, which in fact is the superior team.

"From the second match, I actually feel satisfied because our young players are playing well. Now, we have to focus on facing the next match against Canada. Our target is of course to win," said Soumalia.

Only Koulibaly didn't think about how Mali's chances of qualifying for the next round would be. If in the end failed, Mali still accepted the result.

"We don't care about chances. We came to play football with a feeling of joy. What is clear is that we are trying to get the three points against Canada to qualify for the next phase," he said.

However, Mali had to lose Doumbia, the mainstay goal machine that got a red card in the match against Spain. But Coulibay made sure Mali still had another reliable striker.

"There is no problem with Mamadou Doumbia's red card. He is indeed an important player, but we must still be able to show the best game even though he is not around," Coulibaly said.

Meanwhile, Canadian coach Andrew Olivieri said the team should have been able to put up a fight against Uzbekistan.

Unfortunately, the players lost focus which resulted in their goal conceded two goals. While one more goal was the player's own fault.

"We thought we would win. But instead we lost focus so we conceded. We also failed to get up," said Olivieri.

Now, Olivieri hopes that the team will rise and win in the last match. Only he admits that Mali is a good team. They will also insist on winning the match to open up opportunities for the last 16.

"Mali is a good team and this is not an easy game. However, we want to win. I hope the players no longer make mistakes such as losing focus. We make the best possible preparations for this match," he said.

The Canadian team itself traveled by land from Solo to Surabaya on Tuesday (14/11/2023). They only had less than two days of rest before returning to play.