Mexico falls to Swiss, Argentina edges Honduras in U-17 openers

October 25, 2009

Mexico permitted a pair of first-half goals – including an own-goal by keeper Jose Rodriguez, and lost its opening match at the Under-17 World Cup, 2-0 to Switzerland on Saturday.

Honduras also lost on the first day of play in the 24-team event, falling 1-0 to Argentina on a lone second-half goal in Abjua, Nigeria.

In Lagos, Pajtim Kasami converted a left-footed free kick from 25 meters in the 22nd minute to give Switzerland the lead after the European side had one goal disallowed for offside and had another shot that crashed off the crossbar, bounced down and out.

Switzerland doubled its lead in the 42nd when Rodriguez leapt to punch away a corner kick at the back post, but instead inadvertently knocked the ball backward to send it into his own net.

Mexico outshot Switzerland and enjoyed 61 percent of the possession, according to FIFA’s official stats, but never recovered from the early setbacks.

In Abuja, Honduras weathered an early effort from Argentina to stabilize itself and generate chances from Olimpia’s Nestor Martinez – who sent a free kick off the junction of the crossbar and post midway through the first half — and Oscar Padilla.

Argentina, however, converted their dominant possession in the 59th when Sergio Araujo finished a buildup of a series of passes with a right-footed volley from the edge of the area that skipped inside the far post.

Mexico next faces Brazil on Tuesday while Honduras takes on host Nigeria.

CONCACAF’s other two entrants begin their campaign on Sunday and Monday. Costa Rica plays New Zealand in Enugu on Sunday while the United States opens against Spain in Kano on Monday.

LAGOS, Nigeria

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