FIFA U-17 World Cup: Morocco, Mali off to a flying start

Morocco and Mali began their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign with success as Mamadou Doumbia hit a hat-trick for Mali.

Saifdine Chlaghmo and Ayman Ennair were on target for Morocco as they beat Panama 2-0 in their Group A clash.

Chlaghmo headed home the opening goal of the tournament in the 16th minute, when he climbed highest at the far post to meet a deep corner from Abdelhamid Maali and loop the ball over stranded goalkeeper Manuel Romero.

After a quiet first half, Panama came back into the game strongly after the break and had a good opportunity to level on 60 minutes as Oldemar Castillo cut in from the left after beating two challenges, but his attempt to curl the ball beyond Taha Benrhozil saw him instead slash it wildly out for a goal kick.

Los Canaleros’ best chance came and went shortly after as Hector Rios burst into the area with a powerful break down the left flank, delivering the perfect cut-back to Frederik Krug, only for the substitute to side-foot over from six yards out with his first touch after joining the fray at the Geloro Bung Tomo Stadium.

And Panama were made to pay for those misses deep into added time with Maali again the creator as his clipped ball into the box found Ennair breaking behind the defence to lift the ball over Romero.

Morocco’s next match sees them tackle Ecuador in the same venue on Monday, with Panama taking on hosts Indonesia later the same day.

Mamadou Doumbia hit a hat-trick as Mali kicked off their FIFA U-17 World Cup™ campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

Doumbia opened the scoring on half-hour mark, skilfully rounding goalkeeper Muhammadyusuf Sobirov and slotting home despite Ozodbek Uktamov’s attempt to clear the ball on the line.

He doubled their advantage from the penalty spot on 72 minutes after the outstanding Ibrahim Kanate was upended in the box. And Doumbia quickly completed his treble with a predatory close-range finish to cap a dream opening game.

Mali, runners-up in 2015, controlled the game from the outset and carved out numerous opportunities.

As well as hat-trick hero Doumbia and flying forward Kanate, captain Ibrahim Diarra was also an influential presence. He went close to scoring a spectacular goal himself, only for his low drive after a mazy run to cannon off the post.

Uzbekistan, to their credit, fought hard to the last but struggled to contain their fluent opponents.

Next up for the Asian side is a clash with Canada on Monday, while Mali will face Spain on the same day.