2023 U-17 World Cup Prediction Brazil U-17 Vs New Caledonia U-17: There Should Be No Gaps

Brazil U-17 tries to recover against New Caledonia U-17 in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. (Doc. LOC WCU17/BRY)

JAKARTA - Brazil U-17 must get up when playing the second match against New Caledonia U-17 in the preliminary match for Group C of the 2023 U-17 World Cup at the Jakarta International Stadium, Tuesday, 14 November 2023. Defending champion Brazil ensures that there are no gaps like before against Iran U-17.

When fighting Iran in the first duel, Brazil actually left a gap which was then exploited by the opponent. As a result, Brazil had to recognize Iran's superiority.

They lost 3-2 and this was a surprise at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup when the defending champions fell in the first match. In fact, the Selecao had taken the lead before Iran turned things around.

This defeat taught Brazil a valuable lesson not to be careless even though they were superior. Coach Phelipe Leal admitted that the players' morale easily collapsed after the opponent scored the first goal. In fact, at that time they were still superior.

"This can't happen again when we face New Caledonia. In the first match we were two goals ahead, but the opponent was able to come back and the first goal made the players mentally shaken," said Leal.

"In the World Cup there can't be gaps like that. We have to bounce back in the next match," he said.

Now, Brazil meets a lightweight opponent in the following match. New Caledonia lost 10-0 against England in the first match. This was the biggest score in the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.

Even though he faced an opponent who had just been devastated, Leal made sure he would not underestimate New Caledonia.

According to him, the team continues to play seriously and will not allow the opponent to find gaps that allow them to punish Brazil.

Meanwhile, New Caledonia coach Leonardo Lopez hopes that his team can recover after experiencing a heavy defeat. During the match against England, the team conceded goals very easily.

Players also make unnecessary mistakes that result in penalties. However, Lopez ensured that the team would change when facing Brazil.

"It was not an easy defeat to accept. We had prepared a defensive pattern and that strategy worked well for the first 15 minutes. But in the end we conceded more goals," said Lopez.

In dancing, the New Caledonia team actually received support from the spectators who came to the stadium. However, they still failed to keep up with The Young Three Lions.