China wins 1-0 over host Peru

China edged host Peru 1-0 to gain the upper hand in the group phase at the FIFA U-17 world championships Tuesday. A shot from 30 meters out by left back Deng Zhuoxiang helped China to settle the advantage in Group A where the victory becomes the first match to have a winner as the tournament enters its second round.

Peru coach José Pavoni sent out an unchanged line-up for the second match at the tournament. China made one alteration to their starting formation, defender Nanri Cui replacing suspended Gu Cao.

Roared on by the partisan home crowd, the Peruvians set off at a furious pace only for the Andean express to come off the rails after 13 minutes, Deng Zhuoxiang beating keeper Gian Franco Castellanos all ends up with a 25-metre drive bristling with controlled menace (0:1, 13). The Chinese came within a whisker of doubling their advantage just three minutes later after a slick one-two found Yang Xu hovering near the penalty spot, but the striker's shot with the outside of the boot struck the upright.

China lead the group with four points, followed by Ghana and Costa Rica, both having two points with one game left.

China next play Ghana while Peru take on Costa Rica in the Group where qualifiers may be decided by goals difference.

China’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei, also a Player of the Tournament at the Asian U-17 Championship, is banned from the decisive clash with Ghana after having collected two yellows.

USA outplays Italy 3-1

It was a very thrilling game when USA ran out 3-1 winners over Italy in the top-of-the-table clash in Elias Aguirre Stadium (Chiclayo) on 20 September. For all their physical strength, the Italians never got to grips with the USA's diminutive strikers, and despite a late rally after the sending-off of Salvatore Foti, they can have few complaints about the result. The Squadra must now face and defeat Korea DPR to be sure of a place in the quarterfinals, while the Americans can take on Côte d'Ivoire calm in the knowledge that they are safely through.

"Our players managed to execute our plans perfectly," explained John Hackworth after the game. "We wanted to put them under pressure right from the start and we played very well in the first half, even though we failed to score. We kept at it though, and it paid off. Then we resisted their pressure very well at the end."

With so much at stake, the tactics employed by both teams were always going to be important and it was with great interest that onlookers waited to see what changes the opposing coaches would announce. Both had been tight-lipped, but on the day John Hackworth opted to start Nik Besagno in place of Amaechi Igwe in the heart of his defence, while Francesco Rocca scrapped the three-man rearguard he had tried against the Ivorians. Reverting to a classic 4-4-2, the Italian boss dropped excellent midfielder Matteo Mandorlini to accommodate Manuel Angelucci at the back.

As a result, and no doubt due to the searing heat as well, there were no openings to speak of in the early stages of the game. The only excitement, in fact, was provided by the mascot, Vicky, who made sure to keep the crowds amused from the touch-line. On the pitch, meanwhile, jet-heeled American playmaker David Arvizu attempted to unsettle the Azzurri defence, and he came within inches of intercepting a poor back-pass before Enrico Alfonso launched himself at the ball (19').

Arvizu then found himself in an even better position moments later, after a well-worked counter-attack and a clever pass from Preston Zimmerman left him one-on-one with Alfonso. With the fans on their feet, he somehow contrived to screw his effort wide of the far post (32'). The Pateadores ace did not have to wait too long for another chance, however, and it came to him from a corner. Having beaten his marker for pace, he worked himself into space to unleash a shot, but was still unable to hit the target (39'). The USA's dominance was almost total, yet anything looked possible as long as they remained wasteful in front of goal. "Naturally, I'm a bit disappointed I didn't score," explained Arvizu. "I was unlucky, but my buddies scored and that's what's important."

Brazil comes back to life after defeating Netherlands

Brazil defeated the Netherlands by 2-1in Group D at the Miguel Grau Stadium, Piura. This result let southamericans keep their hopes of defending their FIFA U-17 World Championship title.

Brazilian coach Nelson Rodrigues said that the match was tremendously exciting, but added: "It must have been great for everyone to watch the game, but for me there was too much at stake. It was a hard fight and there was a high price to pay watching it."

Brazil, clearly smarting from their shock defeat against Gambia, started the game concentrated and brilliant, causing numerous problems for the Dutch almost from the kick-off. Skipper Denilson brought a great reflex save out of Tim Krul after only two minutes, but the main threat came from down the right flank, where Anderson gave the Netherlands nightmares.

He dragged the ball wide of goal when he should have hit the target, though the real danger was posed by his series of teasing, inswinging free-kicks. They tested the outstanding Krul to the limit, but he was to be beaten by one of them as Igor gave his nod of approval by heading home the opening goal (0:1, 8').

Krul was called upon to keep the Dutch in the match many times in the opening stages as Brazil ran the Netherlands ragged and their coach Ruud Kaiser was forced into a tactical substitution as early as the 21st-minute, bringing Tom Hiariej on for Jordy Buijs.

Holland started without key striker Marvin Emnes as he had a stomach upset and the Netherlands did not look like they would be able to pose any threat to Brazil, but as the half wore on they grew in confidence and gradually forced their way into proceedings.

First John Goossens broke menacingly down the left hand side and fired across the Brazilian goalmouth, though nobody was on hand to turn the centre home. However, the winger was instrumental in the Netherlands' equaliser when it came soon afterwards.

The Ajax striker sprinted down the centre chasing a hopeful pass and put Brazil defender Sidnei under so much pressure he lofted the ball over stranded Santos keeper Felipe for an own goal (1:1, 28').

Now it was Felipe's turn to feel the heat, saving well from Diego Biseswar, who then also curled the ball just wide before Jeffrey Sarpong brought an outstanding stop from the Brazilian number one.

The second half began much the same way as the first, with Brazil assuming the upper hand and making Newcastle United goalkeeper Krul the busiest man on the pitch. Krul made one great save from midfielder Ramon, but was then left helpless on the hour mark when the same player artfully slipped the ball past him by side-footing into the corner of the net (1:2, 60').

Kaiser quickly turned to Emnes and brought him on for Mitchell Schet to liven up the Dutch attack again and he dribbled his way through into a fabulous shooting position, but Felipe was once more on top form to block him and Vurnon Anita could only bundle the rebound wide.

Renato almost extended Brazil's lead with a curling free-kick that brushed past Krul's post, who then had his crossbar rattled by a thundering drive from Leyrielton and Ramon should have done much better with the follow-up, but he failed to take advantage.

In keeping with the pattern of this pulsating ebb and flow game, Goossens struck the Brazil bar with an incredible curler from distance, but Brazil emerged victorious, leaving both sides battling for qualification on three points with one game to go.

Holland would seem to have the tougher task as they take on group leaders Gambia in Lima on Friday, with Brazil facing the already-eliminated Qatar in Trujillo on the same day.

Netherlands coach Ruud Kaiser agreed that Brazil and Gambia are the favourites to go through now and he said: "I think Brazil will beat Qatar and get six points, so we are now in a very bad situation because if Gambia gets a draw against us, we are out. We have to win and then there will be three teams with six points, but Gambia is a very strong team. They have already beaten Brazil 3:1, so what can I say?"

Latest Results:

Group A

Ghana - Costa Rica 1-1

Perú- China 0-1

Group B

Uruguay- Turkey 2-3

México -Australia 3-0

Group C

Côte d'Ivoire - Italy 3-4

Korea DPR – USA 2-3

Italy – USA 1-3

Côte d'Ivoire - Korea DPR 0-3

Group D

Netherlands - Qatar 5-3

Brazil - Gambia 1-3

Qatar - Gambia 1-3

Netherlands - Brazil 1-2