Kolkata: Dominant Brazil brushed aside a hapless Honduras 3-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium in Kochi on Wednesday to progress into the quarter-finals and will face Germany in Kolkata on October 22. Brenner scored a brace while Marcos Antonio scored his first goal of the tournament to help Brazil continue their winning streak in the tournament.
Facing a relatively weak Honduras side who had won just one match so far, the Selecao boys started on attack and virtually got the lead into 11th minute when Alan Souza coming back after missing out a match put up a fine assist as Brenner put one in to give Brazil the lead before adding one more in the 56th minute.
Marcos Antonio also chipped in with a goal at the stroke of half-time courtesy some fine play by Paulinho as Brazil completely controlled the proceedings with Honduras getting minimal chances to attack.
Los Catrachos’ only bright chances came on tow occasions with both Palacio and Mejia hitting the post, once each across the two halves. “Brazil is a strong team. We have played well throughout the tournament, but our defence was weak and Brazil took advantage,” said Honduras coach Jose Valladares.
Brazil meanwhile will lock horns with European powerhouse Germany October 22 and coach Carlos Amadeu wants his boys to relax for some time before thinking of Germany.
Ghana vs Niger
Two time champions Ghana defeated Niger 2-0 in a battle of Africa and will square of against another African nation Mali in the quarter-finals on saturday. Captain Eric Ayiah scored the opening goal through a penalty while substitute Richard Danso added another goal in the final minute to come out as winners at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai.
It was a complete dominant affair as Niger found it tough to control the attacking trio of Eric Ayiah, Edmund Arko – Mensah and Emmanuel Toku. The Ménas however defended deep not allowing Ghana any space in the final third. But all broke loose when defender Farouk Idrissa fouled Ayiah in the box just seconds before the half time. The captain stood up and made no mistake sending the keeper wrong way as Ghana took a valuable lead. He could have had his second when another penalty was awarded to Ghana, but failed as Niger goalkeeper Khaled Lawali parried away the shot. The Black Starlets did have a second when a long range thunder from Danso ended up in the right top corner as Ghana sailed through.
Goalkeeper Khaled Lawali was the hero as Ghana could score only two despite dominating the entire match. Had it not been his heroic efforts in the goal the Ménas would have gone home having shipped atleast five goals.
Brief Results:
Kochi – Brazil 3 (Brenner 11′, 56′ Marcos Antonio 44′) beat Honduras 0
Navi Mumbai – Ghana 2 ( E. Ayiah 45+4′ (P) R. Danso 90′) beat Niger 0