FIFA U-17 World Cup: Paraguay crush Turkey 3-1 to top Group B, qualify for knockouts
Navi Mumbai: Paraguay made it three wins out of three as they defeated Turkey 3-1 in a Group B match played at DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai. Giovanni Bogado, Fernando Cardozo and Antonio Galeno found the back of the net for Paraguay, while Kerem Kesgin scored Turkey's only goal.
The win ensured Paraguay finish the group on the top of the points table with 9 points and qualify for the knockout stage. Mali who defeated New Zealand 3-1 in New Delhi on Thursday also qualifed for the knockout stage as the second placed team in Group B.
Paraguay could have taken the lead as early as in the 2nd minute. Blas Armoa was brought down inside the box by Turkey defender Abdussamed Karnucu. Anibal Vega who stepped up to take the penalty targeted the bottom right corner only to see his shot saved by goalkeeper Berke Ozer.
Turkey’s first chance came in the 10th minute. Captain Recep Gul cross from the right was headed by Malik Karaahmet but his attempt went straight to Paraguay keeper Diego Huesca.
Both the teams played cautiously and tried to hold onto the possession. In the 38th minute, Paraguay once again had a chance to take the lead as Armora took the ball inside the box and tried to beat the keeper with a powerful shot but his effort missed the goal.
The pressure finally paid off for Paraguay in the 40th minute. Giovanni Bogado curled the ball into the top left corner leaving the keeper with no chance to save. They doubled the lead in the 43rd minute Armoa cross from the left was met with a backheeled flick by Fernando Cardozo to the bottom right corner giving Turkey keeper Ozer with no chance to save.
The South American side continued to press in search of the third goal and came close to scoring in the 47 th and 48th minute. Atalay Babacan came close (47th minute ) to scoring with the header only to see his effort saved. Kerem Kesgin (48th minute) also had a chance to score the third goal but his right footed shot from outside the box missed the goal.
There was no respite for Turkey in the second half as Paraguay got their third goal in the 61st minute, Giovanni Bogado ‘s corner was blocked by Turkey defense , the ball went to Antonio Galeno whose shot from outside the box defected of Melih Gokcimen and went to the bottom right corner leaving keeper Ozer rooted to the spot.
Antonio Galeno won a freekick for Turkey in the 83rd minute. Julio Baez who took the freekick saw his effort saved by Ozer to deny Paraguay their fourth goal. Turkey left it too late to score their first goal. Kerim Kesgin managed to get his name on the scoresheet in the injury time.
The midfielder dodged a couple of defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner. A loss in the final game saw Turkey finish the tournament at the bottom of the points table with a solitary point.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Morinigo was happy with teams Performance, but looked worried with the defense he said" For us the defensive part is very important. It's one of our main concerns. Our goal was not to concede any goal, but we did until the very end and that's something we have to focus about. Now that we are through, we'll have couple of days to focus on the defensive part.
Asked whether if the scoreline was too harsh to the losing team who dominated possession and had more attempts on goal, Turkey coach Mehmet Hacioglu said, "Yes, we created chances and had a lot of possession. But we lost the game due to our own mistakes. So I believe you make you make your own luck."
