Bhubaneswar: As debutant India will take on USA in the opener of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup here on Tuesday, the other Asian nations, like China and Japan have geared up to challenge European and South American football power houses, including mighty Brazil.
India, taking part by virtue of hosting the world cup, in the Group A will play their next against Morocco on October 14 and Brazil in the last group match on October 17. India are aiming to impress on the rivals on the home soil and will be backed by the cheering crowds.
The United States - runners-up in 2008 - are making their third consecutive appearance in the Finals while Brazil will be aiming to add the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup title to the South American crown they already hold.
Morocco, like India, will be making their debut here.
China PR had appeared in 2012, 2014 and their best finish had in the group stage.
They in Group C will play against Mexico (Oct 12); v Colombia (Oct 15); and against Spain (Oct 18) as China will have to overcome a tremendous challenge to advance past a tough Group, which includes 2018 champions Spain and runners-up Mexico.
Colombia are regular qualifiers as well and with such tough opposition, China will have no room for error in their third appearance in the finals and Japan had previous appearances in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Japan in Group D will face against Tanzania (Oct 12), v Canada (Oct 15), and their last group engagement is versus France on October 18.
Champions in 2014 and runners-up in 2010 and 2016, Japan have never failed to advance from the group stage in all their previous appearances in the finals. The present generation will be confident of maintaining their proud record despite the threat that Canada, Tanzania and France pose. Canada were fourth in 2018, France are making a return for the first time since winning the title in 2012 while Tanzania will be making their debut.
Besides Japan's title triumph in 2014, DPR Korea (2008, 2016) and Korea Republic (2010) are the other Asian teams to have won the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
Three former champions - France, Japan and Spain - will be looking to emulate DPR Korea by winning the title for a second time. If Spain achieves the feat, they will be the first side to win back-to-back crowns.
When India take to the Kalinga Stadium pitch here on Tuesday, they will create history by becoming the first women’s team to represent the nation at the finals of a FIFA tournament.
The 16 teams will vie for the title in Bhubaneswar, Navi Mumbai and Goa with the final to be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, which also hosted the final of the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2023 earlier this year, on October 31. (UNI)