It’s going to be a three-week
party, a party on a scale possibly never seen before at a U-17 World Cup
Judging by the sheer enthusiasm of the host nation’s German coach, Sissy Raith,
the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 is shaping up to be an
unmissable event. It certainly has a lot to live up to after the success of the
two most recent editions, but the sparkling line-up for this year’s tournament
– due to unfold between tomorrow and 13 October – suggests that it could indeed
be set to reach new heights.

With Germany, USA, Japan, Korea
DPR, Brazil and Nigeria among the sides in contention, the most formidable
powers in women’s football will be taking part – and competing for the ultimate
prize. The tournament will hardly be short of burgeoning talents either, and
fans can look forward to witnessing the likes of exciting Japanese midfielder
Yui Narumiya, German forward Sara Dabritz and Brazilian schemer Andressa up
close. Fearsome goal machines such as Summer Green of the United States,
Uruguay’s Yamila Badell and Korea DPR’s Ri Un-Sim will likewise be aiming to
set the competition alight.

As it happens, the only major
absentee in Azerbaijan will be Korea Republic, the reigning champions having
only managed to finish fourth in their Asian qualifying campaign. The Taeguk
Ladies will therefore be unable to defend their title, increasing the chances
of a new name on the trophy. Their North Korean neighbours are the only
previous winners in the field, in fact, having claimed victory at the inaugural
edition in New Zealand four years ago.

As those previous tournaments
suggest, Asian sides have held a stranglehold on the FIFA U-17 Women’s World
Cup so far. That was amply demonstrated at Trinidad & Tobago 2010, when all
three contenders from the Far East won their way through to the semi-finals,
prompting FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter to hail the strength of women’s
football in the region. “It’s good news for Asia, but frankly it’s not a
surprise,” he said at the time. “When FIFA began taking an interest in women’s football
in the 1980s, the countries in Eastern Asia were already pioneers in the
discipline. Women’s football has deep roots in the region.”

This time around, it will be Japan,
Korea DPR and China PR looking to continue the tradition, and all three figure among
the favourites. As Asian champions, the Young Nadeshiko can be particularly
ambitious as they tackle their third finals campaign, but the team’s coach
Hiroshi Yoshida is urging caution all the same. “We’re just hoping for six
matches and to reach the final,” he said. “Our goal is to win, but in this type
of competition – especially the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – you can’t predict
anything.”

The United States and Germany are
likely to mount serious challenges as well, with both nations having reached
the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012 just over a week ago,
the Stars and Stripes ultimately emerging victorious. They will go into the
tournament desperate to make an impression after failing to qualify two years
ago, while Anouschka Bernhard’s Germany team have a disappointment of their own
to put behind them. The European heavyweights rattled in no fewer than 22 goals
during the group stage two years ago, only to suffer a 1-0 loss to Korea DPR in
the quarter-finals.

Among the other hopefuls on show,
Brazil will be serious contenders with their alluring Jogo Bonito, as will a
France side spurred on by gifted playmaker Sandie Toletti. Nigeria will also be
keen to have their say and boast a squad featuring five players (Sarah Nnodim,
Victoria Aidelomon, Oluchi Ofoegbu, Halimatu Ayinde and Ebere Okoye) who were
also involved two years ago. Meanwhile, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand
and Ghana all have previous experience of the tournament and will be aiming to
reach the semi-finals for the first time. In particular, Ghana will be
bolstered by the presence of defender Ellen Coleman, a veritable veteran at
this level who will be making her third trip to a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

For their part, newcomers Gambia,
Uruguay, China PR and hosts Azerbaijan will be focused on gaining experience in
Odlar Yurdu (the Land of Fire) and springing a few upsets. “We’ll need a small
miracle to come out on top, but in football there are always miracles,”
explained the home side’s coach, Raith. “We’ll see what happens.”