FIFA U-17 World Cup: Brenner DA SILVA-R lining for Brazil

Brazil completed the quarterfinal line up of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup as they defeated Honduras 3-0.
Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao saves a goal against Honduras during their U-17 FIFA World cup match in Kochi on Wednesday. | PTI
Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao saves a goal against Honduras during their U-17 FIFA World cup match in Kochi on Wednesday. | PTI

KOCHI: Brazil completed the quarterfinal line up of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup as they defeated Honduras 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday. A goal from Marcos Antonio sandwiched by a brace from Brenner da Silva did the job for the three-time champions in the Round of 16.

Honduras coach Jose Valladares had warned the Brazilians that his side could spring a surprise in the match. Just like when the two sides met at UAE in the 2013 edition of the event, the scoreline read 3-0 in favour of Brazil. But the Honduras players still showed plenty of zeal against the more accomplished South Americans and were denied by the bar twice in the 90 minutes -- talking plenty about their determination.

Alan returned to the Brazilian 11 in place of Vitinho after missing out in the previous game. He joined Paulinho and Brenner in a familiar looking front three for the Canaries while Patrick Palacios and Carlos Mejia, earmarked as players who could cause trouble by Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu, started up front for Honduras.

It wasn’t a matter of if but when the Brazilian goals would come. And it was in the 11th minute when the floodgates opened. Alan, who is gathering the nickname Alanzinho back home, created the opening as he played a one-two with Wesley to get to the box and crossed for Brenner to score with ease.

Brazil looked to be in charge and Alan tested Honduras custodian Alex Rivera from distance 10 minutes later, but the Central Americans were almost level when Luis Palma’s effort ricocheted off the woodwork in the 33rd minute after the right winger dispossessed centre-back Lucas Halter.

Brazil went two goals to the good just before the stroke of halftime as Antonio became the fourth different scorer for the South Americans in the tournament.

It was a well-deserved goal for the very impressive midfielder who was sent through on goal by a defence-splitting pass from medio Paulinho.Antonio played a part in the third too as he found the run of Wesley on the right who drifted into the box but lost the ball under pressure from the goalkeeper. However, the ball fell kindly to Brenner who slotted in his second.

Honduras, to their credit, never stopped fighting and made the game difficult for the Brazilians than many expected them to. In the 70th minute, they were once again denied by the post as the hugely impressive Carlos Mejia’s long-range effort rattled the bar before going out of play. Brazil will now travel to Kolkata where they will face Germany in the quarterfinal on October 22.

adwaidh@newindianexpress.com

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