Disciplined Joeys can defeat Mexico

Resilience will be the key for the Joeys as they look to bounce back against Mexico in their second 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup game on Thursday morning [AEDT].

Joeys head coach Tony Vidmar said he believed his side could get a result against Mexico if they played to the best of their abilities.

“That part of our game needs to be tight, because Mexico are good on the counter,” Vidmar said.

“Tomorrow, we have to be at the top of our game.”

Australia’s U-17 national football team began their campaign with a 4-1 loss to Germany on Sunday afternoon, but could still qualify for the Round of 16 with results against Mexico and Argentina.

Mexico began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Argentina on Sunday night.

The Joeys were on the back foot from the off in their first match against the Germans, conceding three goals in the first half.

A fightback looked a distinct possibility as Pierce Waring gave the Australians a glimmer of hope when he brought it back to 3-1 after half time, but the Germans quickly quashed the resistance and saw out the game 4-1.

Vidmar said his side needed to be disciplined in their next match against Mexico.

“We knew what to expect from [Germany], but in the end it still got the better of us,” Vidmar said.

“We were very wary of the German counter, and in the end that’s what let us down.

A win in either of Australia’s remaining two FIFA U-17 World Cup group stage games will put the Joeys in a strong position to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

The top-two placed teams in each group will automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the best four third-placed teams from across the six groups will also advance.

People living in Australia can watch all the action from Estadio Nelson Oyarzun Arenas, Chillan live and exclusive on SBS ONE from 6.45am AEDT on Thursday morning.