2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship

2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship

The FIFA U-17 World Championship 2001 was held in the cities of Port of Spain, Malabar, Marabella, Couva, and Bacolet in Trinidad and Tobago between 13 September and 30 September 2001. Players born after 1 January 1984 could participate in this tournament. Although France had only appeared once before at the FIFA U-17 World Championship, in Canada back in 1987 when they finished sixth, the current crop of French youngsters arrived in the Caribbean determined to emulate their illustrious elders' winning ways at France '98 and Euro 2000. And so it was, Jean-François Jodar's side showing maturity beyond their years. Aggressive in the tackle and tactically very organised, they oscillated between a 3-5-2 and 3-6-1 and were able to rely on two extremely gifted individuals from Le Havre: Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who won both the top scorer, with 9 goals scored, and Player of the Tournament awards. The young "Blues" won five of their six games, losing to Nigeria in the first round but getting their revenge in the Final. They hit five in a game on two occasions, against the USA (5-3) and Japan (5-1) in group matches, before brushing past two footballing giants, Brazil and Argentina (2-1 in both games) at the knockout stage and overcoming Nigeria 3-0 in the final to win their first ever FIFA U-17 World title.