AMAJITA SUFFER SECOND CUP LOSS
SOUTH Africa’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Fifa U20 World Cup were dealt a blow after losing 2-0 to Italy in their second Group D match in Suwon‚ South Korea, yesterday.
A 24th-minute penalty by Riccardo Orsolini and headed goal by big striker Andrea Favilli in the 58th gave Italy their first win, having lost 1-0 to Uruguay in their opening match.
Amajita lost their opening fixture 2-1 against Japan in their opening match in Suwon on Sunday.
South Africa need a win against Uruguay in their final game in Incheon on Saturday to stand a chance of progressing as one of the six groups’ four best thirdplaced finishers.
Meanwhile, a moment of brilliance from Jose Luis Rodriguez and Nicolas Schiappacasse, and a late goal from Mathias Olivera proved to be enough for Uruguay to beat Japan 2-0 in Suwon to place them top of Group D with six points.
The South Americans managed to hold on to their half-time lead as Japan produced several dangerous goal-scoring opportunities after the break to keep a second consecutive clean-sheet and progress to the final round of 16.
Both sides were well organised and did not give up any easy chances.
However, Uruguay were able to find the breakthrough goal in the 38th minute.
Rodriguez dribbled past two defenders on the right flank before finding Schiappacasse inside the penalty area.
The Atletico Madrid forward then dummied one defender and shot the ball past Ryosuke Kojima.
Just as Japan were pushing for an equaliser, Uruguay took advantage and sealed the win as substitute Marcelo Sarachhi played in Olivera, who scored. – Additional reporting by Fifa.com