Germany, Brazil advance, historic day for Fiji.
(FIFA.com)
© Getty Images
THE DAY REPLAYED –
Both Germany and Brazil rubber-stamped their places in the Round of 16
at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 on Wednesday. The former
beat Uzbekistan 3-0 in Christchurch, while the South Americans narrowly
edged past Hungary with a 2-1 triumph to see the giants coast in the
knockout stages.
Indeed, Brazil were forced to come from behind after going into the break 1-0 down, but eventually got the better of a ten-man Hungary side that fought bravely until the end. Andreas Pereira scored the decisive penalty with just four minutes left on the clock to seal the win in New Plymouth.
Germany initially struggled to get to grips with Uzbekistan but eventually imposed themselves on the game and recorded a comfortable 3-0 triumph. Marc Stendera grabbed a superb brace to emerge as the leading light for the victors.
However, it was Fiji who provided the most surprising news of the day thanks to their 3-0 win over Honduras, which marked a maiden FIFA World Cup win for the tournament newcomers from Oceania. The players celebrated wildly and now have a chance of reaching the next stage in the final round of group matches.
In Group E Nigeria posted a comfortable 4-0 win over Korea DPR, who themselves are yet to taste victory at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Results
Group E
Nigeria 4-0 Korea DPR
Hungary 1-2 Brazil
Group F
Honduras 0-3 Fiji
Germany 3-0 Uzbekistan
Goal of the day
Nigeria 3-0 Korea DPR, Sokari (72’)
There were 13 goals in four games on day six at the U-20 World Cup, but the pick of the bunch was without doubt Kingsley Sokari’s strike to put Nigeria 3-0 up against Korea DPR. After the Koreans failed to properly clear a corner, the ball landed directly at Sokari’s feet 20 yards out and he wasted little time in smashing an unstoppable shot into the top-left corner.
Memorable moments
Fairytale script
The sun may have been setting as it turned the sky red over the stadium in Christchurch at half-time, but it was then that Fiji were beginning to shine. The underdogs from Oceania, taking part at the tournament for the first time ever, were 3-0 up against Honduras and could scarcely believe they were about to record a maiden competition victory. Key to the triumph was their ruthlessness in front of goal, with each of their three shots rippling Honduras’ net.
Nigeria’s Saviour
Striker Saviour Godwin lived up to his name in New Plymouth, taking the plaudits for his part in Nigeria’s victory over Korea DPR. The match was goalless at the break but in the second half Godwin came to his side’s rescue, netting a brace inside six minutes to pave the way for his team to pick up all three points.
Family affair
One former Germany international will have been particularly delighted with the substitution that was made in the 74th minute of Germany’s match against Uzbekistan. It was then that Pascal Kopke, son of erstwhile Germany goalkeeper Andreas, a European Championship winner in 1996, was brought on to the field. The youngster was a late addition to the squad and only arrived in New Zealand three days ago. After recovering from jetlag, Kopke got his first taste of the action and played alongside the descendant of another famous figure in the world of football: Uwe Seeler’s grandson Levin Oztunali.
The stat
50 – It was a milestone occasion for Nigeria, who played their 50th game at an U-20 World Cup. The Flying Eagles have so far recorded 21 wins, ten draws and 19 defeats. Their first tournament outing was exactly 32 years ago on 4 June 1983, when they beat the Soviet Union 1-0 in the Mexican city of Monterrey.
The words
“I don’t want to imagine what’s going on right now back home in Fiji. It’s an absolute dream come true for us! Misiwani Nairube, Fiji goalkeeper
Next matchday
Friday 5 June 2015
Group A
Panama – Ghana, 16:00 (Auckland)
Austria – Argentina, 16:00 (Wellington)
Group B
Ukraine – USA, 19:00 (Auckland)
Myanmar – New Zealand, 19:00 (Wellington)
Indeed, Brazil were forced to come from behind after going into the break 1-0 down, but eventually got the better of a ten-man Hungary side that fought bravely until the end. Andreas Pereira scored the decisive penalty with just four minutes left on the clock to seal the win in New Plymouth.
Germany initially struggled to get to grips with Uzbekistan but eventually imposed themselves on the game and recorded a comfortable 3-0 triumph. Marc Stendera grabbed a superb brace to emerge as the leading light for the victors.
However, it was Fiji who provided the most surprising news of the day thanks to their 3-0 win over Honduras, which marked a maiden FIFA World Cup win for the tournament newcomers from Oceania. The players celebrated wildly and now have a chance of reaching the next stage in the final round of group matches.
In Group E Nigeria posted a comfortable 4-0 win over Korea DPR, who themselves are yet to taste victory at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Results
Group E
Nigeria 4-0 Korea DPR
Hungary 1-2 Brazil
Group F
Honduras 0-3 Fiji
Germany 3-0 Uzbekistan
Goal of the day
Nigeria 3-0 Korea DPR, Sokari (72’)
There were 13 goals in four games on day six at the U-20 World Cup, but the pick of the bunch was without doubt Kingsley Sokari’s strike to put Nigeria 3-0 up against Korea DPR. After the Koreans failed to properly clear a corner, the ball landed directly at Sokari’s feet 20 yards out and he wasted little time in smashing an unstoppable shot into the top-left corner.
Memorable moments
Fairytale script
The sun may have been setting as it turned the sky red over the stadium in Christchurch at half-time, but it was then that Fiji were beginning to shine. The underdogs from Oceania, taking part at the tournament for the first time ever, were 3-0 up against Honduras and could scarcely believe they were about to record a maiden competition victory. Key to the triumph was their ruthlessness in front of goal, with each of their three shots rippling Honduras’ net.
Nigeria’s Saviour
Striker Saviour Godwin lived up to his name in New Plymouth, taking the plaudits for his part in Nigeria’s victory over Korea DPR. The match was goalless at the break but in the second half Godwin came to his side’s rescue, netting a brace inside six minutes to pave the way for his team to pick up all three points.
Family affair
One former Germany international will have been particularly delighted with the substitution that was made in the 74th minute of Germany’s match against Uzbekistan. It was then that Pascal Kopke, son of erstwhile Germany goalkeeper Andreas, a European Championship winner in 1996, was brought on to the field. The youngster was a late addition to the squad and only arrived in New Zealand three days ago. After recovering from jetlag, Kopke got his first taste of the action and played alongside the descendant of another famous figure in the world of football: Uwe Seeler’s grandson Levin Oztunali.
The stat
50 – It was a milestone occasion for Nigeria, who played their 50th game at an U-20 World Cup. The Flying Eagles have so far recorded 21 wins, ten draws and 19 defeats. Their first tournament outing was exactly 32 years ago on 4 June 1983, when they beat the Soviet Union 1-0 in the Mexican city of Monterrey.
The words
“I don’t want to imagine what’s going on right now back home in Fiji. It’s an absolute dream come true for us! Misiwani Nairube, Fiji goalkeeper
Next matchday
Friday 5 June 2015
Group A
Panama – Ghana, 16:00 (Auckland)
Austria – Argentina, 16:00 (Wellington)
Group B
Ukraine – USA, 19:00 (Auckland)
Myanmar – New Zealand, 19:00 (Wellington)
