BLOG - 2014 European Under-17 Championship: Matchday Two Preview
Preview of Matchday Two (matches to be played on Monday 12 May)
Performances on the first matchday are traditionally rather tentative, as was the case in Group B. However, the second matchday sees the various teams knowing what is required of them, creating a set of fixtures where only the winner of Malta's game is easily predicted.
Group A
Matches to be played at Gozo, capacity 1,644
England v Turkey
This is likely to be the decisive match in who qualifies from Group A. Realistically, Turkey need a win to fulfil their coach Tecimer's belief that, after losing their opening game to the Dutch, they will still qualify as group runners-up. That promises an exciting game as England look to get the three points that would assure them of qualification should the Dutch beat Malta.
Both teams attacked well in their opening games, with the Turkish right side of Incedere and Polat looking particularly strong in support of Unal and England will hope the return of Isaiah Brown from suspension, likely in the place of the unfortunate Sims, will keep Polat defensively occupied. The superior English defensive record could prove vital and Leeds United's Cook may partner Ledson in midfield, replacing the more offensive Onomah to provide a strong base expert both in retrieving and retaining possession. Patrick Roberts was the first round's star performer despite the weak opposition and may find himself given special attention by the Turkish after his role in all three of England's goals against Malta.
The match kicks off at 10.15 AM BST and is live on Eurosport
Malta v Netherlands
While it is possible, if Turkey beat England, that the Dutch could still finish the group on six points and not qualify, they know depending on the earlier result a win will either qualify them or make them odds-on favourites to do so. Following England's relatively low goal tally against the Maltese the Dutch will be looking to post a large score to help their goal difference before they meet in the final group game.
It will be interesting to see if the substitutes who turned the game against the Turkish in Ould-Chikh and Nouri are rewarded with starts and if so who misses out. Even if he was starved of service Van Der Moot was particularly disappointing but they may regard the game as an opportunity for him to get his eye in while sticking with what they consider to be their strongest side.
Malta were relatively satisfied with their tactical performance against England and will hope to repeat the trick while looking for that one chance to get a goal. This is the last championship match to played at the smallest of the championships stadiums in the picturesque Gozo as the final group games will be at Paola and Ta' Qali before the latter hosts the knockout round and final.
The match kicks off at 02.15 PM BST and is live on Eurosport
Group B
Matches to be played at Hibernians Stadium, Paola, capacity 2,968
Switzerland v Portugal
The first of Paola's matches sees the group leaders Portugal take on Switzerland knowing a win over the Swiss would see them qualify. The Portuguese were comfortable against the Scottish, if never excelling, and will find the Swiss similarly defensively sound if possessing a greater threat in the technical skills of Cani, Oberlin, Sow and Ajeti who all showed neat touches and strong work ethic against the Germans.
As they did versus Germany, the Swiss will believe they can take points against their more fancied opponents but whether they can create sufficient chances to get enough points while keeping Portugal away from their goal will be the key plot to an intriguing match. Renato Sanches gave a preview of skills against the Scottish and he should again be one of the tournament's highlights.
The match kicks of at 10.00AM BST and is live on Eurosport 2
Germany v Scotland
Both teams were disappointed with their opening day results and Germany will look for the win against the Scottish, who showed moments of attacking promise with the tricky running of Aidan Mcilduff and Scott Wright, even if they were tactically outmanoeuvred by the skilful Portuguese possession. How Portugal and Scotland fare against the rest of the group remains to be seen as while the Portuguese weren't very effective in opening up the Scottish they were masterful up to the final third in their movement and selection of pass so it's possible the Scottish performance will surprise a few against a strong but not exceptional Germany side.
Germany will feel they need three points from this game, though if Portugal beat the Swiss in the earlier match a draw will see Germany in a good position to qualify going into the final game against an already qualified Portugal sitting second in the group on two points above Scotland and Switzerland on one apiece. Even if that result should occur both sides will want to win which should make for a good spectacle.
The match kicks off at 5.00 PM BST and is live on Eurosport
With thanks once again to Samuel King, who you can follow on twitter @KingSRV.
