Nigeria 3 - 0 Germany

Penalties. One word, but one which brings so many memories of jubilation and despair. For the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, they will look back fondly on the spot-kicks taken at the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007, but for Spain the emotions may be too painful to recall. Some might say that a penalty shoot-out is no way to settle a match, let alone a FIFA final, but on the evening absolutely nothing could separate these two teams.

This was a match that was played not with a fear of losing, but rather a longing for glory. Both sides pressed for victory, with only the woodwork and some excellent goalkeeping ensuring a 0-0 scoreline after 120 minutes. It was the first-ever goalless draw in the final of the competition, leading to its fourth penalty shoot-out.

Nigeria, winners of the very first event back in 1985, were playing in their fifth final and this was their third trophy. That it is in their hands tonight is down in no small part to the goalkeeping heroics of Oladele Ajiboye, who saved from both Fran Merida and Iago as Yemi Tella’s side secured a 3-0 shoot-out success. Matthew Edile, Daniel Joshua and Ganiyu Oseni all successfully converted their spot-kicks and with Spain substitute Asier Illarramendi dragging his effort wide, the destination of the trophy was decided.

Germany’s late show secures third

A stoppage-time goal from Alexander Esswein helped Germany to a 2-1 win over Ghana and a third place finish at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007.

Blue skies and an appreciative crowd greeted both teams as they came on to the field with third place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup the target for Ghana and Germany. After losing in the semi-finals to Spain and Nigeria respectively, it seemed that both side were determined not to taste defeat in this match. Understandably, the opening was a little cagey, with clear cut chances at a premium in the opening 15 minutes.

Sascha Bigalke planted his free header safely into the arms of Joseph Addo from 12 yards, while Ransford Osei fired into the side netting after some good approach play. With 15 minutes gone, Germany could have taken the lead when Bigalke’s lofted pass into the box found the outstretched boot of Richard Sukuta-Pasu, but the ball spun wide.
The goal was not too long in coming, and when it did, it was of the highest quality.

Hull to make shock Okocha signing

Hull City are set to unveil former Nigeria international Jay-Jay Okocha as their new signing on Tuesday, according to BBC Radio Humberside. The 34-year-old, who spent four years at Bolton Wanderers, was in the directors’ box watching the Championship side’s game at Blackpool.

The midfielder has been playing for Qatar SC since his release by Bolton last summer.

Okocha, who appeared in three World Cups, won over 70 caps with Nigeria.

Hull boss Phil Brown revealed he had been in contact with the veteran last month.

“Jay-Jay’s obviously in the transfer market at the moment - I’ve had a couple of conversations with him,” he said.

source:bbcsports

Heroic Ghana send Brazil packing

Ghana needed all their courage and belief to defeat Brazil 1-0 in their Round of 16 encounter at Soccer Only Field in Gwangyang on Wednesday. Reduced to ten men in the first half, the Black Starlets owed their famous win to Issac Donkor’s strike.

The experts predicted a well-balanced match and they were spot on. Brazil’s calm and intricate build-up play was impressive to behold as the imperious Fabio pulled the strings, but so too were Ghana’s explosive counter-attacks, with Francis Boadi often winning the ball and jet-heeled duo Sadick Adams and Ransford Osei then causing the damage.

Ghana vs Brazil

Just as in every competition, several contenders jostle for position at the starting line but there can be only one winner. At the Gwangyang Soccer Only Field this Wednesday evening, two pedigree teams will be hoping to avoid falling by the wayside.

Ghana and Brazil, respectively double and triple winners of the world’s premier U-17 football trophy, arrived in Korea as strong contenders to reach the Final.

While it has been plain sailing so far for the Auriverde, who booked an early passage to the Round of 16 with two convincing displays, a 7-0 drubbing of New Zealand and a 6-1 thumping of Korea DPR, Ghana have made a meal of their qualification.

Ghana shine against Trinidad and Tobago

Ghana made a dream start to their campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007. On Monday 20 August, in their opening Group F match, the Africans celebrated a convincing 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at the Cheonan Sports Complex.

The Ghanaians had their first clear chance after only two minutes, but Sadick Adams failed to convert. However, Ransford Osei made no mistake in the 12th minute as he rounded off a rapid break down the right wing to put the Black Starlets into a 1-0 lead. T&T had a couple of chances through Daniel Joseph, but in general Ghana dominated the play. Inspired by the excellent Adams and Osei, the Africans created plenty of openings themselves, with the latter making it 2-0 just before the break, before Adams added a third in first-half stoppage time.

In the second half the Ghanaians sat back a little, allowing T&T to create a few opportunities. One of these was converted by substitute Stephan Campbell, who struck a powerful free kick from almost 30 metres to notch a consolation goal for his team. But in the 85th minute Ghana had the final say, when substitute Kelvin Bossmann converted to make the final score 4-1.

source:fifa

Colombia comes back for 3-3 tie with Germany

It was a high-scoring Monday at the U-17 World Cup in South Korea as Group E and F opened play on Day 3 of the tournament. In Group E, the USA fell, 4-3, to Tajikistan while the Tunisia trounced Belgium, 4-2. In Group F, Germany and Colombia played to a 3-3 tie while Ghana thumped Trinidad & Tobago, 4-1.

Tunisia beat the Belgians despite a 52nd minute red card to Oussama Boughanmi.

Randford Osei scored twice for Ghana in its win over the Trinidadians, who are looking for the first-ever win at a U-17 World Cup.

A thundering long-range shot from Cristian Nazarith with three minutes left earned Colombia the tie against Germany, which had taken a 3-1 lead thanks to the playmaking of Toni Kroos.

USA stunned at U-17 World Cup

The USA got off to a bad start at the U-17 World Cup when it fell, 4-3, to Tajikistan, the former Soviet republic making its world championship debut. The loss came despite U.S. leads of 1-0 and 3-2. “For us, we feel like we let the game slip away,” said U.S. coach John Hackworth. “It was a great effort by Tajikistan tonight, they came out with a lot of character.”

The Americans took an early lead with a headed goal by Mykell Bates and looked in control before 32nd and 43rd minute goals put Tajikistan up at halftime.

Gregory Garza and Billy Schuler scored within the first eight minutes of the second half and the USA was still up, 3-2, with eight minutes left in regulation.

But long-range efforts by Nuriddin Davronov and Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev gave Tajikistan, third in Asian qualifying, the victory.

Lula headlines 2007 crop of U-17 stars

Landon Donovan, Cesc Fabregas and Anderson are just some of today’s leading players who made their initial impact at the U-17 World Cup.

This year’s tournament in Korea (which runs from Aug. 18 — Sept. 9) again will provide a good indication of soccer’s next crop of young talent.

The players will experience heavy rainfall during Korea’s summer, but a couple of eye-catching performances could see them showered in the glory and wealth of the world’s top leagues.

Here’s my pick for the top 10 players at this year’s tournament.