Iran get Tiki-taka‘ed’ out of tournament after losing 1-3
KOCHI: European champions Spain produced a quality exhibition of tiki-taka as they decimated Iran 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Sunday.
Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, completely dominated the quarterfinal match as their one-touch passing game proved to be too good for the Asian giants, who were completely outplayed on the day.
Captain Abel Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 13th minute before Sergio Gomez (60th) and Ferran Torres (67th) added a goal each.
For Iran, Saeid Karimi pulled one back in the 69th minute at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. Spain, seeking their maiden title, now meet African champions Mali in Navi Mumbai in the second semi-finals on October 25.
This will be Spain’s sixth appearance in the semi-finals in ninth attempt. The La Rojita were runners-up in 1991, 2003 and 2007 and finished third in 1997 and 2009.
Spain were the overwhelmingly dominant side with nearly 70 per cent possession. They had seven shots on target while Iran barely had any clear chance except for one in the closing stages of the match.
But for some fine saves by their goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh, Iran would have lost by a bigger margin. Zadeh was busy all day as Spain made waves of attacks through their fastpaced passing football.
Valencia youth team winger Ferran Torres, who has been on the radar of Barcelona and Real Madrid, created a lot of problems for Iran throughout the match with his speedy runs and crosses from the right flank.
It was a completely different and unusually defensive Iran today as they did not look like a side, who had not lost any match before today.
They sorely missed suspended striker Younes Delfi who had scored twice in Iran shock upset of formidable Germany in the group stage. KOLKATA: Three-time champions Brazil defeated Germany 2-1 in the last quarterfinal of the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata. Going a goal down in the first half, courtesy a Jann-fiete Arp penalty in the 21st minute, second half strikes from Weverson and Paulinho broke the South Americans’ jinx of faltering at the eight-team stage for the previous two editions. German coach Christian Weuck fielded his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with skipper and highest goal scorer Jann-fiete Arp upfront. Brazil, on the other hand, were fielded in a 4-1-4-1 formation. The Samba Boys started the game on a positive note and were playing attacking football. Germany focused mostly on counter-attacks and were playing pressing football. Brazil’s Alan got the best chance of the day to break the deadlock as early as in the fifth minute. Lincoln had sent a defence-splitting through ball towards the number 10 who was one on one with German custodian Luca Plogmann. From a handshaking distance, he hit the woodwork.
Die Mannschaft skipper Arp finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute from the penalty spot after Lucas Halter brought down John Yeboah inside the penalty box. Cool and calm Arp found the back of the net quite easily.
The Germans slowly took the grip of the match in their hands after scoring the opening goal. Yeboah on the right flank displayed an energetic performance and constantly created troubles for the Brazilian defenders.
Paulinho who started on the left wing for Brazil was seen constantly switching flanks with Brenner. Lincoln and Alan created quite a few chances down the middle but German defender Yann Bisseck stood firm on his ground.
The teams went into the dressing at the end of 45 minutes with scoreboard flashing 1-0 in favour of Germany.
Coach Carlos Amadeu made his first substitution at the beginning of second half. Weverson was introduced replacing left-back Luan Candido. Selecao went all out from the very beginning and were looking desperate for an equaliser. Weverson and Paulinho combined well on the left side and were creating several chances.
At the hour mark, Lincoln came close to score Brazil’s first goal twice. His first shot from the right flank was brilliantly saved by Plogmann which resulted in a corner. The Flamengo youngster attempted a header from Brenner’s corner which went just wide.
Within four minutes, Lincoln once again created a golden opportunity for Brazilians by running down the right flank and keeping a curling cross for Paulinho. But the winger failed to reach in time as the ball went away.
Weverson proved to be a super sub at the 70th min- ute when his blinder of a shot kissed the crossbar and went straight inside the goal. Alan had provided the assist.
Paulinho doubled the lead within six minutes with an even better strike. Paulinho took the shot from the edge of the box which went straight inside the goal like a piledriver.
The German colts looked dejected after conceding the second goal. The created a few chances in the last 15 minutes but none of them were good enough to trouble the Brazil goalkeeper.
Brazil will now meet England in a grand semis clash in Guwahati on October 25th.