India midfielder Jeakson Thounaojam helps the hosts draw level during their Fifa Under-17 World Cup match against Colombia in New Delhi. The joy for Luis Norton de Matos’ side proved short-lived, though, as Juan Penazola grabbed the winner for Colombia in the very next minute Mumbai: New Zealand U-17 coach Danny Hay had warned his team to be careful of the threat Paraguay possess from set pieces and counter attacks, especially through balls. During training two days before the match, Hay made sure his team focussed on defending free-kicks and corners.
It wasn’t enough though, as the South Americans, riding on a brace by Anibal Vega, rallied from 2-1 down to beat the OFC U-17 champions 4-2 in a thrilling Group B encounter of the U-17 World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday. Funnily, Paraguay scored all six goals of the match, courtesy two own goals by their skipper Alexis Duarte.
After being eliminated from the 2015 U-17 World Cup by New Zealand, Paraguay were looking to exact revenge on their opponents, and they got it in some style. They took just two minutes to get on the scoresheet, with a goal likely to be one of the best of the tournament.
The South Americans were awarded a free-kick to the right of the New Zealand box. Alan Rodriguez brilliantly curled it in at the far post. The goalkeeper was caught completely unawares and all he could do was watch the ball go into his net.
New Zealand drew level in the 20th minute when Duarte deflected a Leon Van Den Hoven free-kick into his own net. Unable to read the low free-kick and his vision being obstructed by two New Zealand strikers, Duarte couldn’t compose himself in time to clear the ball.
14 minutes later, Elijah Just, who was the stand-in skipper for Max Mata who missed the match due to suspension, recei- ved the ball in the box, worked his way past defender and played a low ball in the middle.
This time, Duarte went to clear the ball, but his miscued clearance again found the back of the net.
New Zealand started to tire 60 minutes into the match and Paraguay sensed that and stepped up their attack. They got their reward in the 75th minute when Vega pounced on an error by New Zealand goalkeeper Jacob Clarke.
Leonardo Sanchez played a delightful rolling through ball in the centre for Anibal. Clarke came off his line to collect the ball. He got there first, but made a mess of his collection, allowing Vega to get possession for astraightforward tap-in.
Sanchez and Vega combined again three minutes later to put Paraguay ahead. Sanchez wrestled past three defenders in the box and sent in a low cross to an outstretched Vega, who guided the ball into the net. Vega could have completed his hattrick in the 86th minute, but fluffed an easy chance.
Blas Armoa put the result beyond doubt with a brilliant solo effort from the right flank.
He controlled a through ball, dribbled past a defender, dashed into the box and drilled the ball to the right of the goalkeeper. With this win, Paraguay have qualified for the knockouts with six points from two games.
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