England vs US: Expect tremendous game, says US coach

PANAJI: Unlike the English language, football isn't a game that divides England and the

United States

. If anything, the two nations clashing in the Fifa U-17 World Cup quarterfinals at the

Nehru Stadium

at Fatorda on Saturday will speak very much the same language - in footballing terms.

That translates to forward movement on the ball with the accent on attack and more attack.

John Hackworth

, coach of the US, has been a mainstay with the U-17 teams, having been at four World Cups.

"We've played four times and are pretty familiar with each other. Expect a tremendous game," the 47-year-old said. Much of the coach's expectations stem from a sharp competitive nature of the sides and he believes a US-England match never fails to entertain.

The US, it would seem, have a greater claim to fame in the U-17 World Cup. A remarkable record of having qualified for 16 of the 17, speaks for itself. England are only in their fourth.

Add to that the fact that the Americans reached the semi-finals - at New Zealand 1999 - and the new world, at the youngest rung of

Fifa World Cups

ought to start logical favourites. At least going by history.

"In 1999 I was fortunate to be involved in the preparation of the team. It was the first time that we involved players in the Residency Programme," Hackworth revealed.