Brazil cruise into U-17 FIFA World Cup semi-finals

The three-time champions Brazil rallied to overturn Jann-Fiete Arp's 21st-minute lead through substitute Weverson and Paulinho second-half goals to set up a semi-final clash with England on Wednesday.

So what was the secret of Brazil's effervescent come-from-behind 2-1 victory over a resilient Germany in the quarter-final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup? 

According to Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu, some key strategic changes did the trick.

The German coach (Christian Wueck) did a good strategy and blocked Brazil midfielders. He neutralised their offensive system. This caused some problem. The left-back (Luan Candido) was playing his first game in this competition. The German coach knew that and wanted to use that to win,' Amadeu said at the post match press conference.

In the second half, Brazil substituted and brought in Weverson. The midfielders played as wingers and the left back and right back went into the middle. The forwards were penetrating inside Germany's defence which confused the rivals.

The three-time champions Brazil rallied to overturn Jann-Fiete Arp's 21st minute lead through substitute Weverson (71st) and Paulinho (77th) second-half goals to set up a semi-final clash with England on Wednesday.

Germans were brilliant till the 71st minute. At half-time, Amadeu took off Candido who had before this game played for a few minutes in two games for the Selecao boys, bringing on the hugely effective Weverson who turned the tide of the tie.

Germany coach Christian Wueck on Sunday came down heavily on US referee Jair Marrufo saying he made the difference in the 1-2 result against Brazil which knocked them out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in a quarterfinal tie.

Asked about the German coach's reaction, Brazil counterpart Carlos Amadeu said it was not on his part to comment on the referee. We have won fairplay award in U-15 and U-17 championships. If someone has done something like this, we will talk to the player. We have only one yellow card going into this match.'