Brazil wins dramatic Semifinal over Turkey

Brazil won a thrilling FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 semi-final against Turkey in a seven-goal match. The ten-man Turks staged an amazing recovery from a 3-0 deficit at half-time to level the scores, but Brazil's Igor struck a last-minute winner to dash the Europeans' hopes of pulling off a minor miracle. The Final will now be between Brazil and Mexico, while Turkey play off for third against the Netherlands.

Turkey boss Abdullah Avci made one change to the team which triumphed 5-1 against China, Aydin Yilmaz replacing Ozgurcan Ozcan in the starting line-up. Brazil made two changes to the winning team from the quarter-final against Korea DPR, Samuel and Celso replacing Marcelo and the injured Renato.

Brazil could hardly have dreamed of a better start. With just 13 seconds on the clock, Anderson collected a wayward pass in midfield and supplied an inch-perfect lay-off for Celso to fire across Turkey keeper Volkan Babacan for the fastest goal of the tournament (0-1, 1). Turkey were visibly shocked by the dramatic opening and Brazil dominated the early exchanges, Ramon coming close but finding his way blocked on seven minutes.

Deniz Yilmaz had the Europeans' first opening after excellent build-up play from Tevfik Köse, but the striker's effort drifted narrowly wide. Prompted by Nuri Sahin and captain Erkan Ferin, the European champions finally began to settle after a quarter of an hour, but the South Americans had the more promising chances. Anderson's free-kick rebounded from the bar (17) before Brazil keeper Felipe comfortably gathered Sahin's shot two minutes later.

Anderson and Celso initiated a free-flowing move but Babacan turned Igor's shot round the post as the match continued to provide high-quality entertainment. Anderson set off on a mazy dribble a short time afterwards, skilfully evading the Turkish defence before clinically finding the net from 14 metres (0-2, 26) in a spectacular effort to mark the 100th goal at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005.

The Turkish rearguard was still allowing the Brazilians too much room as the South Americans continued to exploit their individual ability. Caner Erkin might have pulled one back immediately after Brazil's second, and the missed opening looked doubly costly when Marcelo fired in from a tight angle only for Babacan to deflect the ball over his own goal-line (0-3, 32). Aydin Yilmaz headed one of the few Turkish chances wide five minutes before the interval, before captain Ferin collected a second yellow card and his marching orders a minute into first-half stoppage time to rub salt into the wound of a dismal opening 45 minutes for the Turks.

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.

Mexico in the Final Game

Mexico achieved a historical victory when they swept aside the Netherlands in their semi-final at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 in Chiclayo (4-0). The El “Tri” surprised European squad and completely dominated their opponents, who came into the game with a weaker-than-usual defensive line that was hit with another injury after just four minutes. In contrast, Mexico was solid as a rock at the back and were led by the unique talent of Dos Santos going forward. They can now look forward to Sunday's final against Brazil to reach the greatest glory in Mexican history.

Mexico started using counter-attacks and almost broke the dutch deadlock from one when Cesar Villaluz collected the ball following a sublime one-two and sent a lob over Tim Krul. It was a fantastic effort, but he was ultimately denied by a brilliant headed clearance on the goal-line from Erik Pieters, on for Van der Kooij (12'). The Cruz Azul striker refused to be silenced though, and his second attempt sent his team in front. Advancing down the right wing, he shook off his marker and raced towards goal with a blistering burst of acceleration before unleashing a thunderous shot that caught Krul off guard (1:0, 33'). The local crowd, largely sympathetic to the cause of the tricolores, exploded with joy and admiration. "I got the ball on the wing, accelerated and shot hard inside the near post. I'll never forget that moment or this day," declared Villaluz, as he left the changing rooms with a wide grin on his face.

The Dutch defence were clearly suffering on their left, where Villaluz advanced with impunity, and he broke clear again five minutes before half-time, only to graze the crossbar with a shot (40'). Mexico soon doubled their lead after the break, though, and in quite stunning circumstances too. Giovani Dos Santos made to take a free-kick in a dangerous position, but rushed into the area instead and, after being fed with the ball, sent a perfect cross from the left for Hector Moreno to head in (2:0, 50'). It was a goal worthy of any professional outfit.
It seemed to be a fatal blow as far as the confidence of the Dutch players was concerned, and that impression was magnified when Niels Vorthoren somehow missed an open goal after profiting from good work from Diego Biseswar (55'). The Oranje were obviously not at their best, and minutes later Krul managed to throw the ball straight to Vela. The Guadalajara striker accepted his gift with gratitude and sent back a vicious shot that just fizzed wide (59').

The third goal was not long in coming, however, and once again Dos Santos made a telling contribution. His visionary pass picked out Villaluz deep inside the area, and the forward beat Krul to notch up his second strike of the evening (3:0, 61'). That sounded the death knell for the Netherlands' hopes of making it to the final, and, as their heads dropped, Ever Guzman took advantage to hit the target one last time in the final minute (4:0, 90'). The scoreline was harsh, yet there was no mistaking the sheer superiority of the Mexicans on the day. Now they must wait and see who they are to face in the final on Sunday, but whoever it is - either Brazil or Turkey - they will have their work cut out against Jésus Ramirez's charges.