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Martial and Kitenge stand out in Luxembourg

Qualifying round Group 10 proved a thriller and UEFA.com looks at the performances of two standout players, France striker Anthony Martial and Luxembourg captain Aristote Kitenge.

Aristote Kitenge (left) challenges Anthony Martial in France's 2-0 win against Luxembourg
Aristote Kitenge (left) challenges Anthony Martial in France's 2-0 win against Luxembourg ©www.juliengarroy.com

The last of the 13 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round mini-tournaments, Group 10, proved to be one of the best: France topped the section with three stylish wins and hosts Luxembourg dramatically pipped Northern Ireland to second place by scoring an equaliser deep in added time against the Faroe Islands. UEFA.com highlights a player from each of the qualifying teams to watch ahead of the 30 November elite round draw.

Anthony Martial, France forward
Tall for his age at 1.81m, Martial does not turn 16 until December but stood out against older players in Luxembourg, finishing as mini-tournament top scorer with five goals. The Olympique Lyonnais trainee scored twice in the opening 5-0 defeat of the Faroe Islands and a hat-trick as France clinched first place with a 4-0 win against Northern Ireland. And in the 2-0 victory against Luxembourg in between those games, Martial worked tirelessly to create space for double marksman Mohamed Chemlal and went wide to support Hervin Ongenda and Daniel Brunard on the flanks. He has a powerful right foot and is strong in the air.

Aristote Kitenge, Luxembourg defender
Luxembourg's captain, whose family hail from DR Congo, certainly has a fine pedigree as elder brothers Joël and Dimitri are both full international strikers. Kitenge, like Joël at CS Fola Esch, is taller than his siblings and more of a physical player, with a driving determination that inspired the home side during the mini-tournament. That was evident in the opening 1-0 defeat of Northern Ireland, where Luxembourg were under pressure for most of the match but Kitenge ensured his defence kept a clean sheet that ultimately proved decisive in taking them through for the first time since 2008/09. Luxembourg conceded only three goals in the group, including two against a France side who managed a total of nine in their other games.