U-17 World Cup: Brazil, Germany and Spain cruise comfortably
Having endured a heart-breaking 4-0 defeat at the hands of Iran, the Germans required a win to enter the Round of 16.
the Germans began on a positive note and made their intentions clear in the first minute itself when skipper Jann-Fiete Arp won a free-kick just outside the box. Though the shot failed to find the target, the urgency that the Germans exhibited telegraphed their intentions.| Express Photo Service
In the eighth minute, Arp took Germany ahead. Capitalising on a defensive lapse, Dennis Jastrzembski set up his captain in the centre of the box, and the latter easily slotted into the left corner. | Express Photo Service
The goal was followed up with some quick raids and it appeared as if the Germans would have a walk in the park. But that was not to be. After their initial scruple, the Africans came back strongly. | Express Photo Service
In the 26th minute, Soumah pulled one back through a scorching left-footer. The momentum of the game settled into an equilibrium after, as both teams launched a few good moves. | Express Photo Service
Guinea's 14-year-old talismanic striker Fendje Toure was slightly off-colour in the first half, but his partner Doss Soumah and overlapping defender Ibrahima Soumah put the pressure back on the Germans. | Express Photo Service
Guinea had their moments too. Toure --who regained his touch later-- and Seydouba Cisse had couple of chances, but failed to provide the finishing touch, as Germany scored two more to end the match 3-1 in their favour. | Express Photo Service
Players of Brazil celebrating a goal against Niger during the U-17 FIFA World Cup match at Fatorda in Goa on Friday. The tournament favourites lived up to their billing as they scored a convincing 2-0 victory over Niger to top Group D. | PTI
The three-times champions, who enjoyed possession against a spirited Niger outfit, scored through Lincoln (4th minute) and Brenner (34th). | PTI
Debutants Niger gave a good account of themselves and performed better in the second half and had their share of chances, but found the rival keeper Gabriel Brazao a hard nut to crack. | PTI
Mohamed Moukhliss and Cesar Gelabert struck a goal each as European champions Spain secured a ticket to the Round of 16 with a comfortable 2-0 win over North Korea in Kochi's Jawharlal Nehru Stadium. | Express Photo Service
Moukhliss opened the scoring as early as in the fourth minute, while Gelabert doubled the lead by striking one in the 71st minute. | Express Photo Service
Spain finished the league engagements in Group D in second position with six points behind leaders Brazil. Spain lost to Brazil in their tournament opener, but bounced back with a 4-0 rout of Niger. | Express Photo Service
Spain had no trouble against their opponents from Korea, and the match went on expected lines. With this result, North Korea bow out of the tournament without a win. | Express Photo Service
The first goal came when Moukhliss shot one from the centre of the box off an assist by Gelabert. The Spanish dominated the game and had the lion's share of possession throughout. Gelabert added the second goal in the second half, as his right-footed shot from a very close range found the back of the net. | Express Photo Service
