ABU DHABI, 6 December 2003 — England and Germany crashed out of the FIFA World Youth Championship yesterday after finishing bottom of their respective groups as all four South American teams progressed to the last 16. Also through are Japan, who secured a 1-0 win over Egypt thanks to a goal from Sota Hirayama 11 minutes from the end.
The result leaves Japan top of Group D on six points, one point clear of Colombia, who drew 0-0 with England earlier, while Egypt, on four points, progress as one of the four best third-placed finishers. England go home after finishing bottom of their group with a single point. They are joined by Germany, who went down 2-0 to Paraguay earlier yesterday. The result means the USA finish top on goal difference from Paraguay, three points clear of South Korea, who pip the Germans, also on goal difference.
Dante Lopez put Paraguay ahead before German-based Nelson Haedo Valdez added a second early in the second half to leave his side safely qualified on six points.
Germany needed the USA or South Korea to record a big win to have any hope of progressing but instead the Americans finished 2-0 winners thanks to a first-half brace by Ed Johnson, the first a penalty.
Ireland finished top of Group E after a 2-0 win over Mexico with Stephen Paisley and Stephen Kelly scoring the goals. Both sides were reduced to ten men on 44 minutes when Mexico’s Jesus Palacios and Ireland’s Darren Potter were sent off. The Irish now meet Colombia in the knockout stages. Also through to the next round yesterday were Cote d’Ivoire after the Africans held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in Al-Ain in the other Group E match. Saudi Arabia finish third in the group but fail to qualify as one of the four best third-placed finishers with only two points.
The result is good news for Canada who finished third in Group C on three points and now qualify for the second stage.
Ittihad, Talaba of Iraq
Draw Goalless
Al-Ittihad were held goalless by Al-Talaba of Iraq in the Arab League Championship match at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah yesterday, writes Mahmoud Ahmad.
Though Ittihad controlled the proceedings and created waves of attacks that foundered on the stout Iraqi club defense.
Today, Al-Ahli will take on Al-Wehdat of Jordan in Amman and Al-Hilal play Al-Zawra of Iraq in Riyadh.
