Brazil gets an important victory over Korea (3-1)

Brazil had to fight hard to win over Korea DPR on the extra time of their quarter-final clash at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005. Often dominated during an intriguing match in Iquitos, the South Americans came through thanks to some merciless finishing, while their opponents suffered from naivety at the back and were unable to convert a whole raft of good chances. The Koreans nonetheless leave the competition with their heads held high, whereas Brazil can now look forward to facing Turkey in the last four.

After some first minutes of Brazilian control, Korea managed to get the ball and generate dangerous moves. The Canarinhos showed all their experience on the counter-attack, though, as Anderson slipped free on the left and cut back a gilt-edged pass to Ramon in the middle. The rest was straightforward, and it resulted in Ramon's fourth strike of the tournament (1:0, 48').

It was going to take more than that to dent the Asian side's belief, though, and Kim soon had Brazil in trouble as he led a lightning-quick break towards their goal. Embarrassing the entire defence with his movement, he then received the ball back from the wings and tried to work himself into a shooting position. He was unable to, but the ball cannoned around viciously in the area before the Aurivderde somehow cleared it to safety (72'). Their relief was nonetheless short-lived, and Korea DPR's efforts were finally rewarded when Myong Ho Choe whipped in a free-kick from the right that fell to Kim six metres out. Totally unmarked, the Rimyongsu striker calmly fired in the equaliser (1:1, 82').

That forced the game into extra-time, when the Koreans were once again the most creative team on show. But Brazil had clinical finishing on their side, and they went back into the lead following a clever one-two on the edge of the area between Ronaldinho clone Celso and Mauricio. Back from suspension after missing the last two matches, Celso collected the ball from his colleague and rifled a shot into the far corner (2:1, 97').

Korea DPR were struggling with exhaustion by this point, but they continued to surge forward at every opportunity. As a result, they left themselves vulnerable to counter-attacks, and they were eventually made to pay when Igor finished off a move from Ramon (3 :1, 120'), thus guaranteeing his side a place in the semi-finals against Turkey in Trujillo on 29 September.

Netherlands got to the Semifinals

The Netherlands entered into the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 after beating the USA 0:2 in a breathtaking match. Jeffrey Sarpong scored twice for the european team.

The game began intensely with the Netherlands dictating the pace. John Goossens sent a deep cross from midfield into the run of Diego Biseswar, only for the Feyenoord Rotterdam striker to kick the ball out beyond the far post (4'). The Americans did not have to wait long for their first chance, Preston Zimmermann firing over (8') after meeting a corner on the volley. The USA were growing in confidence and Quavas Kirk also shot over the bar just a minute later. A horrific incident followed when Kevin Alston left the field with a broken left tibia after a John Goossens foul (16').

Interrupted by the US player's untimely departure, the game lost momentum slightly and it was 15 minutes before entertainment resumed. Jeffrey Sarpong missed a good opportunity from 15 yards (38') before Kirk was thwarted by the assured goalkeeping of Tim Krul (39'). David Arvizu then found himself in a good position three against two shortly before the interval but Krul held safely on to his shot (43'). Just when the first half appeared certain to end in stalemate, the Netherlands struck: Vurnon Anita did the groundwork, and Sarpong fired home from eight yards to score the 0:1.

Neven Subotic's dismissal for a second yellow card with a quarter of an hour to play was a set-back for the US recovery effort, but Dutchman Jordi Buijs restored the balance in personnel when he also received a second yellow for a foul (78'). Jeremy Hall then sent a free-kick flying narrowly wide (79') before the decisive second goal came six minutes from time: Sarpong soared down the left wing, crowning his fine solo run with an ice-cool finish (0:2, 84'). Vormer could have made the result even more emphatic with a headed chance (89') before Sarpong missed a hat-trick opportunity (90').

Mexico defeats Costa Rica in Concacaf Derby

Mexico made a last-second equaliser to force extra-time before beating brave Costa Rica in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 at the Miguel Grau Stadium in Piura.

The much-heralded Mexicans, who will now face either the United States or the Netherlands the semi-finals in Chiclayo on Thursday, seemed destined to be heading out until two minutes from the end of normal time when they clawed their way back into the game and eased past the Costa Ricans as they tired in the decisive phase of the game.

There was more than a touch of good fortune about events when Costa Rica broke the deadlock after 67 minutes. In fact, it was truly bizarre. Esteban Rodrigues clipped in a hopeful corner, but Mexico substitute Edgar Andrade seemed to have it easily covered until his attempted clearance skewed horribly off his left boot. Defender Efrain Valdez could not keep the sliced, misdirected 'shot' out with his head despite a desperate attempt to clear it off the line and he was credited with the strangest of own goals (1:0, 67').

To their credit, Costa Rica withstood intense pressure well and retained enough menace on the counter-attack to leave Mexico under no illusions that they had a real fight on the hands to stay in a tournament they had previously vowed to win.

Costa Rica finally capitulated with just two minutes remaining and this time it was Mexico who had the rub of the green when it came to being fortunate as Valdez saw his shot from the edge of the box take a hefty deflection in a crowded penalty area and find its' way into the corner of the net to force extra time (1:1, 88').

Almost as soon as that got underway, Mexico classily fired their way into the lead, with Villaluz releasing supersub striker Guzman, who cracked an unstoppable, thunderbolt drive high past the helpless Quesada at his near post (1:2, 92').

Vela made matters safe for the Mexicans by heading well past the advancing Quesada to make it three just before the end of the first period of additional time (1:3, 105').

Favorite Turkey wins over China

Turkey got an unquestionable victory over China in their quarter-final match at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005. The Iquitos fans witnessed a dominant display from the Turks that left a doughty asian squad reeling, and few would argue with the view that the European champions are now among the main favourites for the global title. They can now start preparing for the semi-finals, where they will face either Brazil or Korea DPR in Trujillo on 29 September.

"We gave our 100% as always and performed to a very high level," enthused Turkish coach Abdullah Avci after beating chinese team. "I'm glad and proud of the way we played, especially because it provided the crowd with some great entertainment. And that makes me pleased because the people of Iquitos have been very warm towards us. I'd really like to salute them."

A tropical weather greeted spectators and players alike in Iquitos, and it soon became clear that Turkey were more comfortable plying their trade in the 36°C heat. Ozgurcan Ozcan signalled their intent with an effort from the left with only six minutes on the clock, and the Ottomans did not have to wait long before finding the back of the net. Tevfik Kose was the player responsible for the breakthrough and he displayed great talent when, after being set free on the right by Nuri Sahin, he breezed past Cao Gu, cut inside and blasted his shot in at the near post (1:0, 10'). In spite of the sweltering temperatures, the public were quick to show their approval.

China struggled to get to grips with the encounter, but encouraged by the fantastic atmosphere generated by around 25,000 fans, they did their level best to hit back. Xuanhong Wang found himself in a decent position soon after when a free-kick eventually fell at his feet. Unfortunately, his shot flew harmlessly wide (16').

That was more danger than Turkey were prepared to countenance though, and they rapidly set about putting the game out of their opponents' reach. Ozcan worked himself into space on the left, only to fail to spot Sahin lurking unmarked in the middle (25'), but some nifty teamwork eight minutes later would more than make up for that lapse. Sahin whipped in a corner, Deniz Yilmaz flicked on at the near post and Caner Erkin was presented the easy task of stabbing the ball into an empty net (2:0, 33'). The calm assuredness of the Turks was impressive to watch and the Chinese looked set for more misery as long as they remained completely invisible in midfield.