United States advances to U-17 knockout round again

November 2, 2009

The United States advanced to the knockout stage at the Under-17 World Cup for the fourth straight time on Sunday, beating the United Arab Emirates 1-0 with Jack McInerney’s second goal of the tournament.

McInerney converted a rebound in the 35th minute of a game the United States had three times as many shots on goals as the Emirates but struggled to finish several prime opportunities.

The result left the United States second in Group E and headed to a second-round match on Wednesday against the winner from Group F, likely Italy. The victory sent the Americans along with Mexico to the single-elimination phase, giving CONCACAF two of its four teams berths in the knockout round.

The United States, the only country to qualify for all 13 U-17 World Cups, created several chances before McInerney put the Americans ahead.

Luis Gil dribbled across the top of the penalty area before sending the ball with outside of his right foot to Nick Palodichuk.

Palodichuk volleyed a low shot with his left foot from the edge of the area that UAE goalkeeper Ahmad Shambih was able to block but not hold. McInerney, lurking near the goal, pounced on the loose ball and poked a left-footed shot past Shambih.

The Americans quickly pressed for an insurance goal with Shambih needing to produce saves to thwart Gil, Stefan Jerome and Alex Shinsky over the next nine minutes.

The United States continued to test Shimbih in the second half, with Gil driving a shot from distance that the goalkeeper hat to leap and stretch across his body to tip away in the 63rd.

U.S. goalkeeper Earl Edwards had a relatively lighter match, but had a handful of saves including one to deny Mohammad Sebil in the 61st.

IJEBU ODE, Nigeria

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