The second day of Under 17 World Cup had seen Group C and D teams playing at Goa and Kochi respectively. Brazil, Spain and Germany three footballing giant countries were the main attraction of Saturday’s action. The intensity of all the matches were very high as expected and the matches were highly competitive also.
In the first match of Group C Germany locked their horns with Costa Rica at Fatorda Stadium in Goa. Fiete Arp had given Germany the lead at the 21st minute of the match. The first half had ended with one yellow card for each side. At 64th minute Andre Gomes had equalised for Costa Rica. The German substitute Noah Awuku had sealed the exciting contest for Germany at the 89th minute of the match by scoring a wonderful goal. The match had ended with Germany emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.
In the first match of Group D one of the most exciting clashes of the Under 17 World Cup had taken it’s place when Brazil and Spain were playing against each other at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Spain got the lead at the 5th minute of the match by an own goal of Wesley. But Brazil came back well in the match when Lincoln scored for them at 25th minute of the match. Brazil took the lead in the match at the last minute of the stoppage time in the first half when Paulinho had scored a brilliant goal. The match had ended with a win for Brazil by a 2-1 margin after many dramatic moments in the second half.
In the second match of the Group C Iran played against Guinea at Fatorda Stadium in Goa. The first half of the match had ended with a 0-0 scoreline. One of Guinea’s players, Cherif Camara was shown the second yellow card in the second half a and Guinea had to play with 10 men in the field for the rest of the match. Allahyar Sayyad, Mohammad Sharifi and Saeid Karimi had scored for Iran. Fandje Toure had reduced the margin for Guiena at the stoppage time of the second half. With this win in a 2 goal margin Iran went to the top of the table of Group C leaving Germany in the second place.
In the second match of Group D North Korea locked their horns against Niger at Jwaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The first half had ended with a 0-0 scoreline. Salim Abdourahmane had scored for Niger at 59th minute of the match. The Goal had given Niger the all important 3 points from the match against North Korea. Niger are now placed second in the league table of Group D behind Brazil.
The Editor’s View: Some Facts To Remember-
- As we looked at the game on the opening day of the tournament and beyond, we realized that these kids are not even 18 yet. They don’t even have the tag of an adult or even a legitimate/proper driving license. However, they have come this far to represent their country, not just in another country, but probably another continent.
2. This really makes us want to support them and cheer for each and every one of them, with a lot of future stars in the making amongst this lot. Surely.
