Only one more day remains until the start of the quarterfinals of the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup; and 8 of the original 16 teams now remain.
Germany remain heavy favourites who will be meeting a French team that has qualified from group C equally with the United States.
For Germany, this tournament that has been largely positive. Wins over tournament debutantes, Venezuela and their South American counterparts, Mexico, has seen Germany cruising.
With perhaps their biggest challenge coming from the Korea Republic, whom they brushed aside with a 2-0 win.
It will be a different proposition when they take on France however. The Le Bluettes who had had a stuttering campaign earlier have fallen back into rhythmic playing.
The Brazillians remain perhaps the strongest of the South American trio. They had qualified initially, and for the romanticists of football, their Thursday evening meeting against Japan was a mouth-watering encounter.
Mexico and the United States will meet in an interesting affair, against the political backdrop of Trump’s win in America, the Mexicans have been an entertaining blend of defensive stability and quick fluid attack.
Korea DPR are perhaps the enigma of the remaining sides in the quarterfinals. They are the only side to have won the tournament on debut; and while the Spanish have been confident and are a technically competent side, have not always been consistent.
