Soccer: US have been ever-present at U-17 finals

By Terry Maddaford

If experience counts for anything, the United States should romp away with their group at the world under-17 soccer championship, where they are pitted against New Zealand, Poland and Uruguay.

The United States are the only one of the 16 teams to have won through to the eight finals for the under-17 championship since the inaugural competition in China in 1985.

For the Americans it was a close-run thing in 1999. They were taken to a playoff by Costa Rica before claiming the third North-Central America spot behind Mexico, who are back for their sixth tournament, and Jamaica, who are making their debut.

In the Auckland-based group at North Harbour Stadium, only the Americans have been to more than one of the seven earlier tournaments.

Poland's only previous experience was in 1993 in Japan, where they won their group, beat the United States 3-0 in the quarter-finals but were eliminated 2-1 in the semifinals by eventual winners Nigeria.

Poland lost the third place playoff to Chile on penalties.

Uruguay first played in Italy in 1991 where they beat Cuba 1-0 but lost 0-2 to Ghana and 0-1 to Spain and were eliminated.

New Zealand, who dashed Australia's run of uninterrupted finals appearances with their 1-0 win on Anzac Day 1997 in Christchurch, had their first outing in Egpyt two years ago and failed to get beyond pool play.

Poland, second behind tournament favourites Spain and ahead of third-placed Germany in the European qualifying championship, have a young but experienced side.

In their two years together, they have won the European under-16 championship but lost the under-17 final 1-4 to Spain.

Their last warm-up match before heading Down Under was against Finland. The team carry the hopes of a nation stung by the failure of the national side to reach the important European and world championships.

After a 40 hour trip to Auckland, the Poles are being hosted by Auckland's Polish community before moving into the official championship hotel.

"The players are all students," said Auckland-based team manager Slawek Roslow. "They were quite tired when they arrived but have recovered well. Initially they trained just once a day but that has now increased to two sessions a day.

"There are 2000 Polish people living in New Zealand and the team have been surprised and very happy with the support they have received. There was a big group at the airport to meet the 18 players and seven officials.