Kolkata: A Samba mesmerized Yuba Bharati Krirangan applauded as Brazil defeated Germany by a 2-1 margin of goals in a close fought encounter despite going down by a goal early in the first half. Captain Jan Fiete-Arp had given Germany a lead from the spot which was neutralised by substitute Weverson in the 71st minute before Paulinho scored the winning goal from a thunderous shot six minutes later.
Driven by a 66,000 fans, most of whom donned the yellow, Brazil started the match brightly and almost took a lead in the sixth minute but Alan Souza’s shot hit the upright showing early glimpse of what was in for the football frenzy fans in Kolkata. But the German front slowly took control as the game progressed, John Yeboah and Nicolas Kuehn repeatedly haunted the flanks. Coach Wuck had spoken highly of the two and especially Yeboah’s influence on the pitch and boy he toyed with Luan Candido, who had replaced Weverson in the left-back position.
Come the 20th minute, Candido was again at fault losing the ball that initiated a German attack that eventually led to a penalty, which Arp put in comfortably as Germany took a decisive lead. Chances soon looked to have been blocked for Brazil as Die Mannschaft led by defender Yann Bisseck made the way to goal a long destructive journey, often crowding out Lincoln or Brenner in the German box.
The repeated mistakes of Luan Candido brought back reminiscence of another left back Marcelo who was co-incidently at fault for the first goal in the gloomy night at Belo Horizonte in 2014 World Cup. Sensing the same, Amadeu was forced to bring on a half-fit Weverson and the lad didn’t just response by neutralising a threatening Yeboah but also came up with an equaliser through a shot that tore through the heart of the Germans sending the crowd into a frenzy for the first time in 71 minutes. With Germany blocking the way in the D, Paulinho took another long shot in the 77th minute, a shot that went in a flash, sending the Germans back home disappointed, disgruntled.
Brazilian coach Carlos Amadeu’s substitutions were spot on, with two of his substitutes having a hand in both the goals. While Weverson scored the equaliser with a cannon, Yuri Alberto provided the assist for Paulinho’s goal. Brazil next face England in another epic clash in the semi-finals, this time at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday.
Spain vs Iran
Spain routed Iran 3-1 in what was their finest display in the World Cup so far. Playing against a team that has thrashed opponents by applying counter-attacking brand of football to perfection, coach Denia used the flanks, asking players to put in more crosses and attack from the sides rather than the middle and the result, Iran were neutralised, dominated for the first time.
“It was clear to us that if we are very direct when attacking Iran through the middle, we may give them space to counter attack. I understood that the way to play against them was to be better with more players on the sides of the field to avoid attacking through the middle,” said Spanish coach Santiago Denia after the match.
Captain Abel Ruiz opened the scoring, while Sergio Gomez and Ferran Torres scored with a gap of seven minutes in the second half. Meanwhile, Saeid Karimi earned a late consolation goal for the Melli Nojavanan.
Spain next face the high-flying African nation Mali, who were runners-up in the 2015 edition of the U-17 World Cup at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday, while Iran go back having already made themselves proud bringing an end to what was their best performance in the U-17 World Cup.
Brief Results:
Kochi – Spain 3 (A. Ruiz 13′ S. Gomez 60′ F. Torres 67′) beat Iran 1 (Saeid Karimi 70′)
Kolkata – Brazil 2 (Weverson 71′ Paulinho 77′) beat Germany 1 {J. Arp 21′ (P) }