Mexico advances at U-17 World Cup

October 31, 2009

Carlos Campos and Carlos Parra scored 14 minutes apart in the second half to lead Mexico to a 2-0 victory over Japan on Friday and into the second round at the Under-17 World Cup.

Both goals came against the run of play with the Japanese creating numerous chances but failing to finish any and going home with a third straight loss.

Japan was joined by Honduras, which was beaten 3-1 by Germany in Abuja and also lost its third straight.

Campos’ scored in the 65th minute, freezing Japanese defender Matsubara and creating just enough space to launch an arcing left-footed shot from 25 meters that barely cleared the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Yasuhiro Watanabe and settled in the opposite side of the net.

The goal came after Japan’s Takashi Usami hit the crossbar in the 51st and had several other subsequent dangerous chances, including a volley from the middle of the area that struck defender Kristian Alvarez in the 76th.

With Japan still pressing, Mexico seeming sealed the victory in the 79th. Daniel Guzman, son of the namesake Tigres coach, sent a 40-meter free kick into the area where Parra ran under and nodded the ball over Watanabe, who had come off his line.

Mexico finished second in Group B with six points, three behind Switzerland and three ahead of Brazil.

It will next face the runner-up from Group F on Thursday in the round-of-16.

Honduras returned home from the U-17 World Cup with three consecutive losses for the second straight time, having been outscored 5-1.

Anthony Lozano scored in the opening minute of the second half, but Lennart Thy scored two goals in as many minutes to give Germany the lead by the 56th and keep Germany alive for a second-round berth.

Kevin Volland added the insurance in the 73rd minute.

LAGOS, Nigeria

Source