FIFA U-17 World Cup: Colombia look to excel under heavyweight tag

Colombia are one of the heavyweights in Latin American football to have never won a world title. The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India will be their sixth finals appearance and their best performance till date came in 2009 when they finished third after losing to Spain 0-1 in the semi-finals. The Colombians have enjoyed a good record at the South American championships with three medals (1994, 2010 and 2014) and a world title will be the perfect addition to their trophy cabinet.

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KNOW THE COACH: Orlando Restrepo

The 61-year old has never played professional football but has coached a number of clubs in Colombia, Bolivia and Costa Rica. He was appointed U-17 manager in 2016. He is also a sports technology practitioner and physical education instructor. Restrepo prefers to play counter-attacking football and is well-known for strong defensive tactics.

PAST PERFORMANCE: Fourth place: 2003, 2009. Round of 16: 2007. First round: 1989, 1993. Did not qualify: 1985, 87, 91, 95-2001, 2005, 2011-15.

PASSAGE TO INDIA: Colombia booked their FIFA U-17 World Cup berth after finishing third in the South American Under-17 Football Championship.

Results in South American U-17 Championship: Bt Ecuador 2-1; dw V Chile 1-1; bt Uruguay 3-1; lost to Bolivia 2-3, bt Ecuador 2-1, lost to Chile 0-1, dw V Venezuela 0-0, lost to Brazil 0-3, bt Paraguay 2-1