Solomon Islands faced proven quality at U17 World Cup

Solomon Islands U17 National Team ended their participation in 2019 U17 FIFA World Cup with three losses in three matches. They were criticized by many people in their homeland but they really did their best.

They were in a very hard group with Italy, Mexico and Paraguay, three strong teams that are currently in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Italy is the current U17 European runner-up. They won Ecuador in a very tough match and now they are going to face hosts Brazil in the quarter finals. Paraguay overcame Argentina in a breathtaking match and now they will face current european champions Netherlands. Mexico has beaten Japan easily and they are going to play against South Korea in the next stage.

Three of the eight remaining teams are from the same group (Group F) and these three national teams have the possibility to advance through semifinals. It shows that Solomon Islands really had the opportunity to play three matches against the best teams in this World Cup.

While Solomon Islands made its first appearence in a 11-a-side football World Cup, Italy won four World Cups. Mexico already won U17 FIFA World Cup twice and Paraguay always reach the world stage even playing against top teams like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Solomon Islands players play in New Zealand or in local top teams like Henderson Eels, Solomon Warriors and Kossa, but it is a very low standard compared to top countries. Italy has players from Milan, Internazionale and Juventus academies, three of the best teams in the world. Mexico has good tradition when it comes to youth football and they have many players that already play football at senior professional level so they already play in a level that does not exist in Oceania. Some Paraguayan players also play at professional level. It is a huge gap between these three national teams and Solomon Islands.

The difference is not only at club level, but at international level too. UEFA and CONMEBOL are far way stronger and more developed than OFC. Italy and Paraguay always play football at a high level because they are pushed into it against another great National Teams. CONCACAF is a bit weaker but Mexico also has the opportunity to qualify for many World Cups so it makes them much more prepared than OFC countries at world level.

Of course there are plenty of room for development in the country’s football but people must stop over-criticizing the U17 National Team.