The first ever FIFA Under-17 women's World Cup, now being hosted by New Zealand, has not been attracting a great deal of attention, but those who like to see really good football should take a look at the games.

Team to watch is Japan. They have been really outstanding. Their passing, ball control, running, on and off the ball, and shooting have been quite sensational. In their last match, the Japanese drubbed France 7-1. At half-time, the score was 6-1. The Japanese could have won by a much greater margin. They missed a number of easy one-on-one chances with the French goalkeeper.

Young thrills

Chiaki Shimada, Chinatsu Kira, Mana Iwabuchi, Akane Saito and Natsuki Kishikawa, Maruka Hamada are just six of the young stars, who are providing thrills for the New Zealand crowds and the many parents who have accompanied the girls to the tournament, which is being held in the country's main cities - Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

Japan who, like Jamaica, went to the men's World Cup for the first time in 1998 in France, look to have a women's championship team in the making. The 2011 women's World Cup in Germany may be coming a bit too early for this group of 17 year-old and under girls but, if they stay together, Japan should not be beaten in 2015.

Germany, United States, the two Koreas and Nigeria are among the other countries, who have been playing quite well at the tournament. Most disappointing of all have been Brazil, the Pan American Games champions and beaten finalists in last year's women's senior World Cup in China. Brazil were beaten 3-0 in their opening match by England and followed that up with a 2-1 loss to South Korea. They face Nigeria in their final preliminary round match today.

Superstakes day

Saturday is the big Superstakes Day at Caymanas Park. The cream of the island's local-bred stayers will compete in the 2000 metres race for a $5 million purse. The race lost some of its lustre recently with the withdrawal of the top-rated ALLIED FORCE from the field. ALLIED FORCE, 59.5kg, defeated MAJOR MAYER by over six lengths in the Grade I Prime Minster's Stakes on August 6 and was being tipped to run a really big race in the Superstakes.

With the Noel Ennevor-trained five-year-old horse out, the overwhelming ante-post favourite for the race is now Triple Crown heroine ALSAFRA, to be ridden by Trinidadian Brian Harding. She will be challenged strongly by last year's winner MAJOR MAYER (Richard Mitchell) and AD INFINITUM (Dane Nelson).

Firm choice

My firm choice for the race is ALSAFRA. The flying filly has been running top level splits over the distance since mid-year and, with just 52kg to tote on Saturday, will not be beaten. In her only prep race for the Superstakes, ALSAFRA clocked 1:30.4 for 1500m on September 27 and has been burning up the exercise track in recent weeks.

The other top races on the card should be knotty affairs. CHADMAN (60.5kg) and GOOD CITIZEN (53kg) appear to be the ones to beat in the CTL Imported Mile.

Hard to beat

AHWHOFAH (53kg) has been doing so well at exercise that she looks hard to beat in the CTL Caribbean Sprint over 1200m. Last Tuesday, the Wayne DaCosta-trained three-year-old filly clocked 1:05.1 for 1100m. She will, however, have her hands full against MUSICAL MAESTRO (57kg) and OUTSTANDING (55kg).

The CTL Juvenile Sprint (1300m) looks, on paper, a cinch for BRUCEONTHELOOSE as his recent conqueror, MISS RUTH, is not in the field. REGGAE PRINCESS is improving fast and will run a big race after placing third, behind MISS RUTH and BRUCEONTHELOOSE, in her most recent race while MARATHON MAN should also run very well.

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