Mali will face Croatia in Sunday’s quarter final of the ongoing U-17 World Cup in Chile, hoping to reach the last four for the first time.

Already quarterfinalists in Egypt in 1997 and in Trinidad and Tobago in 2001, the West Africans have never reached the tournament’s semi finals.

Unbeaten since the beginning of the competition, Coach Baye Ba’s boys finished top of Group D before defeating Korea DPR 3-0 in the round of 16, courtesy of an early opener from Amadou Haidara and a Sidiki Maiga’s brace, africanFootball.com reports.

And the West Africans show no lack of ambition ahead of their clash with Croatia.

“Our individual skills brought us the victory. We are happy that we are now in the next round,” africanFootball.com quoted Ba as saying after the win over North Korea.

“The team is here to win the title but we will do it step by step.

“I never watched a game of Croatia but I’m looking forward to analyze the team’s match against Germany.”

Meanwhile, the Croatians secured a 2-0 victory against Germany in the previous round after sealing a second-place finish in Group A behind Nigeria.