U-17 WC: Players to watch out for

Six players who could blaze a trail at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.

Photo: AFP

With star striker Vincius Junior missing out on the ticket to the showpiece event, all eyes will be on this 17-year-old striker. He scored two goals in Brazil’s triumph in the under-17 South American football championship earlier this year, and now will be expected to become the focal point of the side in the Real Madrid bound striker’s absence. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Paulinho was schooled in the same academy of World Cup winning striker Romario at Vasco da Gama. In July, he scored two match winning goals to mark his first professional start for his club.

The fleet footed attacking midfielder made heads turn even before the tournament started when he made an £8 million switch from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund. Sancho impressed at the U-17 European championship where he was awarded the Player of the Tournament. The Watford-born teenager will, however, only be part of the group stages after which he will have to return to his parent club.

The Barca youth cadet led his side to an U-17 European championship win in May where he scored four goals. Right after the penalty shoot-out victory over England, the striker claims he dreamt of lifting the U-17 World Cup in India. Spain’s record goal-scorer at this level will be hoping to help his nation lift its first U-17 World Cup this month.

The Baghdad born striker will not be an unknown quantity to the watching audience in India. In 2016, Dawood scored top scored with six goals in Iraq's maiden triumph in the AFC U-16 championship in Goa. He is capable of playing in every position across the front line. The forward already plays in Iraq's highest division league where he scores and creates goals aplenty.

Photo: Getty Images

Arp scored seven goals in the U-17 European Championship, including two hat-tricks, where Germany lost to eventual champion Spain earlier this year. The striker made his debut for his boyhood club Hamburger SV to become the first Bundesliga player to be born after 2000. He will be looking to add to his 13 goals at the U-17 level at the upcoming World Cup.

Adept at playing with both his feet, Jadhav will be looking to make a huge impression on the world stage. Known for his poacher instincts in front of goal, the Maharashtra-born youngster can play across the front-line. He will be the primary source of goals for India.

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With star striker Vincius Junior missing out on the ticket to the showpiece event, all eyes will be on this 17-year-old striker. He scored two goals in Brazil’s triumph in the under-17 South American football championship earlier this year, and now will be expected to become the focal point of the side in the Real Madrid bound striker’s absence. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Paulinho was schooled in the same academy of World Cup winning striker Romario at Vasco da Gama. In July, he scored two match winning goals to mark his first professional start for his club.