FIFA U-17 World Cup: On biggest stage, an exposition of skill and play-acting

Sadiq Ibrahim scored the all-important goal as Ghana ran away with three full points in the tournament opener. (Source: PTI)

The ball came in flying from the right. Danlad Ibrahim jumped to punch it away. Instead, he collided with Colombia’s Santiago Barrero. It looked harmless — Barrero’s feet catching Ibrahim’s elbow. But the Ghanaian goalkeeper clutched his knee and rolled over the surface, yelping in pain.

Barrero flung his arms in frustration. On the touchline, Colombia’s coach Orlando Restrepo waved agitatedly at the referee, shouts of ‘time, time’ echoing around the stadium. Their frustration was understandable. Ghana were a goal up, but Colombia were enjoying a rare good spell. Ghana’s tactics of slowing-down the game was breaking their momentum.

It wasn’t the first time a Ghana player did that. Not the last, either. It worked for them, eking out a 1-0 win over the South Americans. Gamesmanship is common football, especially at the senior level. However, along with tactics and skills, it seems the players are also introduced to the art of slowing down the game at the Under-17 level.

But Ghana weren’t only play-acting. They proved their title credentials with the wonderfully constructed move that led to the goal in the 39th minute. A diagonal cross-field ball from the right sailed over the Colombian defence, falling right in front of Eric Aiyah. Their star striker cut past the right back and played a beautifully weighted pass that was tapped in by Sadiq Ibrahim.

It was a trick tried repeatedly by Colombia as well. Colombia were more creative in their build-up, depending largely on midfielders Robert Mejia and Yadir Meneses. The Colombian boys were playing like men. And they were tightening the noose around Ghana.

Barrero, who was frustrated by the Ghanaian goalkeeper faking an injury to slow the game down, picked up a knock himself. He was unable to carry on. And the substitute, who was brought in after 68 minutes, had to be stretchered off in the 87th. He was in tears. The boys who played like men are, after all, still boys.

Black Starlets find support

In the JLN Stadium stands — sparsely-filled for the opening match — the dozen or so Ghanainians ruled the roost. The group of 20-somethings, studying in Punjab and Delhi, rallied their team against Colombia with coordinated, ear-splitting chants and songs — winning over many neutrals, alienating a lot more and losing their voice in the process.

“I haven’t sang like this in a long time,” says Eric, 28. “I’ve been in India for a year but even before that, there weren’t many chances.”

The West African nation ran the age-group show in the 90s but have lagged behind Nigeria since then. Many eyeballs are on this batch of Black Starlets.

“Ghana is very demanding. They’ve seen great days and hence the expectations are always high. In a way, this is where it begins for us,” says Eric, adding, “Some are trying to come here from Ghana. The ones who are already in Bengaluru, Cuttack etc are on their way. We are only going to get louder.”

Louder than the home fans?

“We will try,” he says. “We realise the significance of this for India. This could be a starting point for them too. But it’s a tight group and there’s pressure of being hosts.”

Perhaps, they’ll go a little easy on the songs on October 12 then?

“Absolutely not! But we will support India in the next match though,” he negotiates, with a blink-and-you-miss nod to his crew. “India! India-oooo!” they respond hoarsely.