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FIFA U-17 World Championship Wrap: Brazil win, North Korea surprise [Thu Sep 22nd, 2005]
Brazil shook off their opening round loss to Gambia with a win over Holland. Gambia defeated Qatar, the US downed Italy (report is on a separate page), and North Korea throttled Ivory Coast.
Group C
North Korea 3, Ivory Coast 0
Confirming their decent performance in a loss to the US was no fluke, North Korea eased their way to a 3-0 victory over the Ivory Coast. The result means the Africans, with two losses, have been eliminated from the competition and will be playing for nothing more than pride in their final group match against the United States.
For the Asians the win over Ivory Coast, coupled with Italy’s loss to the US, means a draw will see the Koreans through to the quarterfinals.
A terrific piece of skill from Hung Ryong Ri set up North Korea’s first goal from the penalty spot, which Hyong Ho Choe converted past Ikossie Tahourou for a ninth minute lead.
Choe struck again late with seven minutes remaining in the first half, and Kyong Il Kim followed Choe with a third goal right before the first half whistle to kill off any hopes the Africans had of making a game of it.
Group D
Gambia 3, Qatar 1
Gambia followed up their weekend upset of Brazil with a win over ten-man Qatar.
Midway through the first half Gambia got on the board first through Momodou Ceesay, his second of the tournament. But Qatar showed they were not to be taken lightly when Yusef Ali used his speed to break in alone on goal where he finished with aplomb.
There was little action in the second half until Qatar were reduced to ten men in the 71st minute when substitute Khalid Al Sulaiti, who was only on the pitch for a couple minutes, was sent off for a reckless tackle.
Ceesay earned a spot-kick shortly thereafter, which Ousman Jallow put away for his second of the competition. Gambia bagged their third goal in injury time through substitute Pa Modou Jagne.
Brazil 2, Holland 1
Brazil managed all three goals in a vital win over the Dutch. Wasting no time the South Americans scored eight minutes into the match when Igor’s header beat Oranje goalkeeper Tim Krul. Brazilian pressure mounted upon the Dutch rearguard, forcing a tactical substitution just twenty minutes into the match.
The move appeared to do the trick.
On the other end of the pitch John Goossens was getting room on the left side of the field, and one of his threatening runs paid off with an equaliser just before the half-hour mark.
Goossens was running down a bouncing ball, but Brazilian defender Sidnei, hoping to poke the ball away before Goossens was in alone on goalkeeper Felipe, looped the ball over his goalkeeper and into the back of his own net.
Krul and Felipe did their best to keep both sides from going ahead until the hour mark, whereupon Brazil’s Ramon side-footed past Krul for the winner. The action continued to delight the spectators over the next half hour, with Goossens’s audacious shot from distance off the bar coming closest.
Both sides have three points with one match to play. Brazil should close out with a victory over Qatar, whereas the Dutch will need a comfortable victory over Gambia if they wish to make the quarterfinals.
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