Great expectations are here again

There are more than a few names football fans should remember out of the recently completed Fifa Under 17 World Cup, as they could be the next stars with Qatar 2022 rising on the horizon.

Sweden's Valmir Berisha earned the Golden Boot at the Fifa Under 17 World Cup with seven goals. AFP
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There are more than a few names football fans should remember out of the recently completed Fifa Under 17 World Cup, as they could be the next stars with Qatar 2022 rising on the horizon.

Valmir Berisha (Sweden); The new Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Being dubbed the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic might be a mixed blessing. Admittedly, there are the obvious complementary connotations of being saturated with that sort of skill.

But that sort of temperament? Surely that could be bad for your health.

Happily, this young man seems to be perfectly well adjusted. Few players of any age, for example, will have managed to remain quite as magnanimous as Sweden’s striker just after his side had been knocked out of this competition.

After losing 3-0 to Nigeria in Dubai when the final was within reach, he said he told his conquerors that if they do not go on to win the tournament, then football is unfair. “Their football is just amazing,” he said.

On such evidence, he clearly has the emotional wherewithal to cope with the burden of being mentioned in such vaunted company.

So what of his talent? Well, it would be difficult for anyone to copy the playbook of quite such a maverick as Ibrahimovic, but Berisha has his own merits.

As an athletic forward who was the focal point of a Sweden side noted for their aerial prowess, he scored four goals up to the semi-final stage of the competition. And like his mentor, his strength in the air belies a deft touch.

“We made a name for ourselves,” the Albania-born forward said after the semi-final exit. And maybe the name Berisha could come to resonate as strongly as that of Ibrahimovic by the time Qatar 2022 rolls around.

Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria); The new Nwankwo Kanu

Playing as the centre-forward in this Nigeria team must be a lot like shooting fish in a barrel.

Such is their freewheeling commitment to attack, you are going to get plenty of chances.

Awoniyi, who only turned 16 in August, did not originally think he was coming to the UAE as the first-choice forward.

He filled the boots of Success Isaac with panache, though, as he struck four goals for the tournament’s most prolific team.

Much like all of the Nigerian attackers here, Awoniyi, the son of a retired prison officer, is blessed with flair and a rich level of skill.

But what was most striking about his method was his calmness when opportunities presented themselves.

Manu Garba, the team’s coach, told his charges they must be composed in the box, but that was easier said than done given the team’s frenzied support. Despite his tender years, Awoniyi took his manager at his word, though.

“At times when people in the crowd are shouting for us, you have to concentrate even more,” the striker said.

“If you listen to them, at times you could get carried away. But more so they boost your ambition to win the match.

“In football, most people believe as the striker you have to score for your team to make your team progress.

“But it doesn’t just happen. You have to work hard for your team, but when a striker gets the chance to score and God gives him the glory, you have to be thankful.”

Sherko Kareem (Iraq); The new Cristiano Ronaldo

Considering Iraq were eliminated from the Under 17 World Cup in the group stages with a record of three defeats from three games, it perhaps seems ambitious to proclaim one of their players as a star of the future. Yet, such is the undeniable quality of Sherko Kareem that it would be criminal to overlook him.

A lean, confident dribbler who enjoys drifting in from the left flank, the Al Shorta playmaker styles his game on Cristiano Ronaldo and even wears the No 7 shirt in the Portuguese maverick’s honour. During Iraq’s 5-0 loss to Nigeria, the quick-footed Kareem still caught the eye with both his willingness to run at the opposition and his ardent refusal to accept defeat.

“He’s the No 1 player for me, everything I do I base it on the way Cristiano Ronaldo plays,” Kareem said. “I love to watch his play and to copy his moves and feints. When he’s playing, I’m watching, and I’m paying close attention.”

Born in 1996 during Iraq’s bloody civil war, Kareem first shone at the U17 Asian Cup, where he was awarded player of the tournament. Last month, he followed that up with an eye-catching display in a 6-0 win over Bangladesh, whose Dutch coach was quick to recommend Ajax cast an eye over the Baghdad-based youth.

The Amsterdam club have invited Kareem over for a two-week trial, however, they may find they have rivals for his signature after a trio of impressive displays in the UAE.

Simone Scuffet (Italy); The new Gianluigi Buffon

The Italian No 1 once promised his father he would go farther in the game than Dino Zoff, the legendary Italy goalkeeper, who hails from the same region of Italy. Zoff was captain of the senior team that won the 1982 World Cup in Spain. It was a brave prediction, although Scuffet is already a member of the Udinese first-team squad, and enhanced his reputation here. A penalty save in the group stages portrayed his talent, as did a string of other top-class blocks.

Joaquin Ibanez (Argentina); The new Maxi Rodriguez

Having entered the competition expecting to feature predominantly as a substitute, the left-footed defender soon took centre stage, scoring four goals in as many matches. It was a surprise even to Ibanez, who rarely finds the net for club or country. His cheeky back-heel in the last-16 clash against Tunisia was as inventive as it was impudent, yet his tournament ultimately ended on a sour note: he was sent off in the semi-final loss to Mexico.

Alen Halilovic (Croatia); The new Lionel Messi

Such is the young Croat’s stature already, that during the group stages rumours emerged Bayern Munich had agreed an €18 million (Dh88m) deal for him. While it appears to be a little early to celebrate a transfer to the German giants, the Dynamo Zagreb winger does seem set for a big-money move soon. Brilliant in possession and with an ability to ghost past opponents, Halilovic showcased his talent with a fine solo goal against Uzbekistan.

Tomas Vestenicky (Slovakia); The new Roque Santa Cruz

A formidable presence up front, the prolific striker certainly added to his appeal this past month, scoring five goals. His brace against the UAE will not have endeared him to the locals, but Vestenicky displayed all the qualities of a top-class forward: strong in the air, comfortable with the ball at his feet and with a knack for creating space, and chances, for teammates. Expected to forge a bright career in European club football.

Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria); The new Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha might have been so good they named him twice. But surely he was not so highly regarded that every member of the travelling Nigerian press corps wanted their photograph taken with him when he was just 17. Iheanacho scored four times on his debut at a major world finals. With any luck, the wider world will get plenty more chances to see him on this stage. His talents were made for it.

Kosei Uryu (Japan); The new Shinji Kagawa

The neutrals had many likeable options beyond the usual default of Brazil. Nigeria, for example, do not exactly have a wealth of football history supporting their credentials, but they thrilled. Same goes for Japan. Their interchangeable take on Total Football does not lend itself to picking out one individual — but the system was typified by Uryu. The 5ft 4in pocket rocket started the competition listed as a high-school player. He must have pro terms by now.

Auro (Brazil); The new Dani Alves

Much like a certain older Brazilian right-back, Auro clearly enjoys tirelessly foraying down the flank. The Sao Paulo defender was a late call-up by coach Alexandre Gallo, but quickly made the No 2 shirt his own with his attacking threat complemented by positional awareness and tenacity in the tackle. Rarely exposed during his country’s five games, Auro showed composure to score during Brazil’s penalty shoot-out defeat against Mexico.

The new Oscar Cardozo

The Mexican forward was awarded the Adidas Bronze Ball for his performances during the past month’s tournament. As stocky as he is agile, the Pachuca youth notched four goals in seven games, including two against Argentina in the semi-finals. The defending champions arrived in the UAE with concerns as to who would replicate the 2011 form of three-goal hero Carlos Fierro. In Ochoa, they found their answer.

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