Mali U17

The FIFA U-17 World Cup concluded this week with Portugal beating Austria in the final. Here are 8 of the most impressive players from the tournament.

Brazil did not impress but a soft goal let in by the Malian goalkeeper tilted the game in their favour, in Kolkata on Saturday.

It may not be the exact match they were hoping to play in Kolkata, but both Brazil and Mali are eager to finish their Under-17 WC campaign on a high.

37,847 pairs of eyes in Mumbai saw Cheick Oumar Doucoure score arguably the 'goal' of the U-17 World Cup. The pair that mattered, though, did not.

Spain booked their ticket to the finals of the U-17 World Cup after beating Mali 3-1 in the semifinals in Mumbai.

Mali have taken playing at venues with sparse attendances and on rain-soaked pitches in their stride, spurred by the chance to win the U-17 World Cup.

Mali reached into their sturdiest core, amplified their strengths and mastered conditions and opposition on a pudding of a pitch, writes Sharda Ugra.

The heavy and continuous rain in Guwahati meant the match was more about adaptation and endurance than footballing skill.

As Mali face Ghana in the U-17 World Cup quarter-finals, India can learn a lot from the progress of African football, writes Sharda Ugra.

Lassana N'Diaye scored a brace as Mali outclassed Iraq in Goa in a 5-1 win in the round of 16.