FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Star-studded Germany ready to take on Costa Rica in opening match

Margao: Formidable Germany have their task cut out when they take on Costa Rica in their campaign-opener of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Saturday. [caption id=“attachment_4118465” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Germany U-17 team during a training session in Goa. Image Courtesy: Twitter @DFB_Junioren[/caption] Germany have made 10 appearances in the tournament but have not won the title so far and are now looking to win this time. They landed early here to adjust themselves to the conditions and have been practicing yoga during their training sessions for the last four days. Head coach Christian Wuck said he will take one match at a time and his side would first look to qualify for the knockout stage. “Our first aim is to win against Costa Rica, Iran and Guinea and top the group in order to qualify for the knockout round,” stated Wuck. “Players like Jann-Fiete Arp, Elias Abouchabaka and Dennis Jastrzembski who will be in action on Saturday are billed as the ones who will take up the mantle from illustrious names like Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos,” added the former Bundesliga player, said. “These youngsters are not burdened with the pressure of winning a World Cup. Instead, to play in India is seen as an opportunity to learn and develop not just their footballing skills but their personalities and even education,” German team’s media manager Ronny Zimmerman explained. Costa Rica, who were the last team to arrive in Goa on 3 October, had a training session at two different grounds during the last two days. They will be making their 10th appearance in this tournament with the most successful period coming between 2001 and 2007, when they reached the knock-out stage on every occasion. Costa Rica won all four games as hosts of the Central American qualifying event to reach the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship on a hot streak. They coasted through the initial group stage with another 100 percent record defeating Cuba, Canada and Suriname to reach the classification round despite suffering a heavy 1-6 defeat at the hands of eventual champions Mexico. They finished second courtesy their slender 2-1 win over Panama, and in the process advanced to India 2017. Camacho Viquez, who took the reins of his country’s U-17 side in 2016, is looking for a good show in this tournament. “The boys are ready and give their best to win tomorrow,” stated Camacho. Squad: Germany: Luca Plogmann, Alexander Nitzl, Pascal Hackethal, Dominik Becker, Jan Boller, Noah Awuku, Shaverdi Catin, Eric Majetshcek, Jan-Fiete ARP, Elias Abouchabaka, Nicolas Kuehn, Luis Klatte, Dennis Jastrzembski, Yannik Keitel, Kilian Ludewig, Lars Mai, maurice Malone, John Yeboah, Jessic Ngankam, Yann Bisseck and Marian Prins. Costa Rica: Ricardo Montenegro, Andres Hernandez, Fernan Faerron, Karin Arce, Amferny Arias, Wabter Cortes, Morio Mora, Christian Munoz, Julen Cordero, Greivin Fonseca, Felipe Flores, Jose Alfaro, Brandon Calvo, Ronnier Bustomante, Josre Abarca, Andres Gomez, Yecxy Jarquin, Kevin Chamorro, Sebastian Castro, Alexander Roman and Daniel Chaon.