African champions Mali on
Thursday in Chile reached their first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final, courtesy
of a resounding 3-1 victory against Belgium.
 |
| Mali U-17 World cup team. |
The Europeans had taken
the lead through Dante Rigo, but Boubacar Traore's swift response was followed
by second half goals from Sidiki Maiga and Sekou Koita.
Belgium took the lead
through a sumptuous through ball by Jorn Vancamp who found space in between the
Malian midfield and defence.
He lofted a pass with the
outside of his right foot to the onrushing Rigo who showed great composure to
finish for his second goal in two games.
The midfielder’s effort
ended Mali's run of over 300 minutes without conceding at Chile 2015.
But the Malians struck
back swiftly, with Aly Malle matching Vancamp's assist with a delicious cross
of his own with the outside of his left foot.
The ball missed everyone
but Traore followed in, lashing home from inside the penalty area.
The remainder of the
first half saw the two sides exchange attacks, and it was clear for all to see
that these teams knew each other inside out.
The News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) reports that they had met in Talca on Oct. 18 in their opening
Group D fixture, with the game ending goalless.
There was however an
element of fortune to the goal which gave the west Africans' the advantage
after the break.
A long clearance pumped
upfield by the Malian defence was misread by Teunckens, and with the bounce
deceiving the goalkeeper, Maiga nipped in to nod home.
The win was
rubber-stamped in the closing stages as Koita, the youngest player on either
side, showed composure beyond his years.
He received the ball in
the Belgian penalty area on the right-hand side and slammed a finish across
Teunckens into the far corner.
Mali's historic victory
means they will face Nigeria, who later emerged victors of the second
semi-final match against Mexico, on Sunday.
NAN reports that Belgium
will face Mexico in the play-off for third-place earlier the same day in Vina
Del Mar.(NAN)
No comments:
Post a Comment