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Brazil down Turkey 4-3 at U-17 World Cup
(fifa.com)
Updated: 2005-09-30 21:43
However, the Europeans were first off the blocks in the second period, Erkin
latching onto Kose's through ball to net from 15 metres (1-3, 47). Babacan
denied Celso on 51 minutes but the Turks were in do-or-die mood now and Felipe
pulled off a brilliant save from Kose on 55 minutes. Ramon failed to gain any
reward from a mesmerising thrust down the left flank after 64 minutes, but the
resilient Turks refused to roll over and die, displaying impressive morale and
team spirit in the face of adversity.
The crowd at the Mansiche stadium erupted as Kose
claimed his second with a header from a Sahin free-kick (2-3, 69). Babacan
denied Anderson at the second attempt on 72 minutes before the action switched
to the other end and Mehmet Yilmaz put a diving header wide a minute later. The
unthinkable was only briefly delayed as Sahin produced a stunning 20-metre lob
to equalise for the European champions (3-3, 75). Brazil were not finished yet
as Marcelo narrowly failed to lob the onrushing Babacan on 81 minutes, but with
extra time looming, Celso and Anderson combined to provide an inch-perfect
lay-off for Igor to finish with a flourish (3-4, 90). Pure frustration led to
Serdar Kesci's sending-off two minutes into stoppage time as Brazil sealed the
tightest imaginable victory in a truly memorable match.
Turkey coach Abdullah Avci swiftly overcame his disappointment afterwards. "I
have to congratulate my team on their part in a fantastic match. We ran out of
luck right at the end. We were knocked out of our stride by letting in a goal so
early, and we looked disorganised in the first half, but we did everything right
in the second half."
Commented Brazil boss Nelson Rodrigues: "I reckon we surprised Turkey with
our attacking approach at the start. We were clearly the better team in the
first half, but they were better in the second. That was a great advertisement
for the game. We're looking forward to the final against Mexico."
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