TIMEINDONESIA, JAKARTA – Canada U-17 National Team coach Andrew Olivieri said his team is ready to surprise Spain U-17 in the first Group B match of the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Manahan stadium, in Solo, Friday (10/11/2023) at 7:00 p.m. WIB.
Facing a top-notch team, Olivieri said his team was highly motivated to put up a tough fight.
“I think facing a good team in the first match can motivate the players. Moreover, it is a World Cup class event and our young players are participating in it for the first time,” Olivieri said.
The coach, born on May 27, 1981, asked his team to train with great concentration in order to be able to give their best against Spain.
“It shows us more clearly what we have to do in the next match. We know that our full concentration will be crucial to be able to compete with them,” Olivieri said.
Olivieri said the first match, regardless of the opponent, will always present its own challenges. The reason is that it is a momentum that will influence the team’s course in subsequent matches.
“Yes, the first match is always important. It is a crucial moment to determine the next steps,” Olivieri said.
Meanwhile, the Spanish camp never underestimated their opponents. Additionally, Canada is considered to be fast and agile on offense. This is why Spain’s Under-17 coach, José Lana, has asked his players not to underestimate their opponents.
“Canada is a very strong team. They are known for their speed and agility. Offensively, Canada is very good. So you have to be careful against them,” said Jose Lana.
The 48-year-old coach explained that the La Rojita team already had a game plan to face Canada. Lana wants her team to dominate possession of the ball so she can control the flow of the match.
“Our plan for tomorrow’s match is that we will try to be the team that always has the ball. We will try to be dominant on the pitch so that we can easily control the match,” Lana said.
Lana recalled the importance of the 2023 U-17 World Cup for Spain. He said this championship would be a golden moment for the future of his young players if they could show good performance on the field.
“We are trying to be the best team we want to be. Our goal in the 2023 U-17 World Cup is to do our best. It is a preparation for them so that they can become the best players at the “future,” he said.
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