GAMA, Brazil – Two-time FIFA Under-17 World Cup champions Mexico will look to take another step forward in the 2019 Under-17 World Cup when they meet Japan in the Round of 16 on Wednesday at the Estadio Bezerrao in Gama, Brazil.
El Tricolor arrive into the knockout round encounter riding a wave of confidence after defeating the Solomon Islands 8-0 in their group stage finale.
The victory set a record for the widest margin of victory by Mexico at an Under-17 World Cup, breaking the mark set by the 1977 team that defeated Tunisia 6-0.
Leading the way for Mexico in the tournament has been Efrain Alvarez, who scored a sensational strike in the narrow 2-1 loss to Italy in the group stage, before bagging a brace in the win over Solomon Islands.
Mexico has also been boosted by very good goalkeeping from Eduardo Garcia, who registered two clean sheets in the group stage against Paraguay and Solomon Islands.
Wednesday’s contest marks the first Under-17 World Cup match between the two nations since the 2009 edition in Nigeria when Mexico defeated Japan 2-0 in the group stage.
