FIFA U-17 WC: Methodical Germany subdues Guinea to qualify

The rugged and physical approach of the Guinea side disturbed the pristine and organised game of the Germans but when it came to the matter of scoring goals it was Germany which converted the chances that came its way to emerge 3-1 victor.

Germany Nicolas Kuehn celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a goal against Guinea during the FIFA U-17 World Cup football match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.

Germany won the match but the brave and energetic Guinea won the hearts of the thousands of fans who had gathered to watch the crucial Group C match of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Friday.

The 3-1 win for Germany ensured its qualification into the next round but it was stretched by the tiny African nation. Guinea played its heart out but Germans were methodical and professional to snuff out the challenge.

Match Centre

The rugged and physical approach of the Guinea side disturbed the pristine and organised game of the Germans but when it came to the matter of scoring goals it was Germany which converted the chances that came its way.

The Germans were, to some extent, also aided by the fragile defence of Guinea. The margin would have been much more but for the resourcefulness shown by Guinean goalkeeper Mohamed Camara under the bar.

 

The German vigour was all too apparent in the opening minutes during which it forced a free-kick and a corner. However, the opening German goal came from a defensive error and was fortuitous. Dennis Jastrzembski challenged Ismael Traore and latter’s desperate shot ricochetted off Dennis’ legs and came to the unchallenged German captain Jann-Fiete Arp who had no difficultly in beating goalkeeper Camara in the eighth minute.

Then came a period of Guinean dominance during which it earned the well deserved equaliser. The Guineans moved the ball into the German box from both the flanks and the overlapping right full-back Ibrahima Soumah was a revelation.

READ: FIFA U-17 WC: Iran blanks Costa Rica to finish top of group

The equaliser came off a goalmouth melee in the 26th minute. The move was initiated by captain Fandje Toure whose through ball was collected by Aguilbou Camara inside the box. Aguibou, despite being harried by German defenders, managed to control the ball and took a shot at the goal but it rebounded off defender Dominick Becket's body and came to Ibrahima Soumah at the far post. Ibrahima easily foxed German Josha Vagnoman with a feint and scored the equaliser.

Germans regrouped in the second half. Captain Arp controlled the midfield and Guinea goal came under pressure quite early but goalkeeper Mohammed Samara brought off successive saves off Elias Abouchabaka and Nicolas Kuehn to keep his side in contention. However, the Germans couldn’t be denied for long as Apr won the ball in the midfield and his diagonal pass sliced open the defence and came to unmarked Nicholas Kuehn who placed the ball into open net for the second goal in the 62nd minute.

The Guineans attacked and created chances but couldn’t break the German defence. A counter-attack in the injury time by Germany saw Sekou Camara bringing down Jessic Ngankam inside the box. The resultant penalty was slotted in by Shaverdi Cetin in the 92nd minute.