Fifa U-17 World Cup: Honduras look to keep Brazil at bay

Kochi: Brazil’s progress from the group stages was relatively low key compared to some of the other group toppers but the three-time champions say they are not averse to winning narrowly again even as they face a wobbly Honduras in a round of 16 match of the Fifa U-17 World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday.

For all their attacking prowess, the Canarinha  topped Group D scoring just six goals in three matches. They also only let in one, when Spain stunned them with a fifth minute opener in the first round.

Coach Carlos Amadeu feels it was important that they did not concede again since Wesley inadvertently turned a Ferran Torres cross into his own net. “For sure we would’ve liked to score more goals but I’m happy that we didn’t concede more than one. Now we enter a more difficult phase in the competition and if a 1-0 win does the job then it will make me happy.”

Brazil are likely to retain the core of their side that played the entire group stage though Vitinho remains sidelined with an injury sustained against Niger. Alan is expected to replace the midfielder having served a suspension.

Amadeu is keen to continue with Brenner, Lincoln and Paulinho in attack and has warned their Central American opponents to be wary of his dynamic trio that has contributed all their goals thus far, with Lincoln netting thrice.

On the other hand Honduras claim to have figured out a way of handling Brazil’s fluid attack even though they shipped in as many as 11 goals in two matches, against France and Japan.

Despite qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams, thanks to thumping 5-0 win against Group E whipping boys New Caledonia, Jose Valladares’s side are clear underdogs going into the Brazilian encounter. But the coach has remained defiant as he claims they had been playing well till now.