Flawless DFB selection in round of 16 against USA

After a perfect group stage, the German U17 national team starts the knockout stage of the World Cup in Indonesia with confidence. Christian Wouk’s side return to Bandung on Tuesday (9.30am/Sky) for a Round of 16 clash against the United States, where the first two German games have already taken place.

After a convincing 3-0 win in the last group game against Venezuela, “even though we had no preparation, the boys fully embraced the World Cup,” the consistent strength of the DFB selection was evident again. Wouk hailed three wins in the group stage with at least two goals as “a real achievement”.

Round of 16 opponents USA lost 3-0 on Saturday against France – the only other team besides Germany to finish the group stage without dropping a point. Just before the end of the match, centre-back and captain Tyler Hall was shown a red card and is out for the time being.

However, American coach Gonzalo Segares (41/Costa Rica) showed their quality against South Korea (3:1) and Burkina Faso (2:1). Winger Nimfasha Bergimas, who already has three goals to her name, is particularly dangerous. Liverpool talent Keyrol Figueroa, who scored eight goals to lead the U.S. to the finals of the U17 CONCACAF Championship, will need to keep an eye on the German defense.

Defensive captain Finn Jeltsch got a break against Venezuela but progressed to the round of 16. “We need every player in the team,” said Wück, explaining his rotation in the final group game. No significant decline in performance; Every fielder has been used at least twice during the tournament so far. The DFB selection was already characterized by squad depth when it won the European Championship in the summer.

Captain Noah Darwich remains indispensable: the playmaker has already set up three goals and scored once himself. Despite a brace against Venezuela, Bayern talent Robert Ramczak will probably replace Max Morstedt at the heart of the attack – but Ramczak has already shown how valuable he is as a joker at the European Championship.