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Pitch battle Size matters in Under-17 World Cup final
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) -- The team most comfortable with the maximum-size field at the Hasely Crawford Stadium could hold the key to victory as Nigeria and France prepare to do battle in the final of the FIFA under-17 World Championship in Trinidad on Sunday. Nigeria's coach, Abdullahi Musa, said it will be a disadvantage to his team playing on the maximum-size field in Port-of-Spain after having played all of their matches on the smaller fields in Tobago at the Dwight Yorke stadium, where they excelled. "Now that they have to play on this maximum size field will take some adjusting to," Musa said. "The French have played there already so they will be a little more at home on it, but we will speak to our players about what to expect and to advise them to let the ball do the work rather than try to run all over the field with it." He added that he tried to practice on the Hasely Crawford stadium field before, but couldn't as they were making repairs in preparation for Sunday's final. Nevertheless, Musa said he feels confident his team will do well against the French. Nigeria beat France in the first match in Group B 2-1. For the French, their arrival at the final represents their best placing to date. Their 2-1 come-from-behind win over Argentina represents a first for the French and a big boost to the sport in Europe. The local French consulate has already scheduled a party at the ambassador's residence Sunday night, hoping it turns into a victory celebration heralding another international title for the French. French coach Jean-Frabcois Jodar was high in praise for his players, and for the team's achievements. He said the early equalizer to cancel out the 49th minute Argentine goal by Tevez was a huge factor in his team's success in the semifinal on Thursday. "We were a bit lucky to have equalized so soon after, as this allowed us to settle down and carry on playing," he said. "If we had to wait much longer for that equalizer, it would have made life very difficult for us later on in the match." He also felt the loss to Argentina at the under-20 World Championships in Argentina earlier this year was a motivating factor as he was on the bench sitting beside the head coach when that defeat came. His only regret on the night, he said, was the goal that was disallowed. "The officials got it wrong this time, and maybe if we had video evidence to assist them they would have corrected it and the goal would stand. Florent Sinama Pongolle would also now be the highest scorer ever in the under-17 championships with nine goals, which would be another big achievement for him and the team and for French football," the coach said. Sunday's final will be in front of a sold-out crowd at the stadium in the Trinidadian capital, and among those expected to be present is FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is on a Caribbean tour at the moment. Before Sunday's final, Burkina Faso and Argentina will meet for a third-place clash. The Nigerian coach tipped his hat to the fighting spirit of the Burkina Faso team. Nigeria edged out Burkina Faso 1-0 in the semifinals Thursday with a third minute penalty.
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