U17 World Cup: DPR Korea 0-2 Brazil: Scintillating Selecao outclass lethargic Chollima

Nisanth V Easwar

U17 World Cup: DPR Korea 0-2 Brazil: Scintillating Selecao outclass lethargic Chollima image

Brazil outclassed a lethargic DPR Korea to register a 2-0 win in their second group game of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Tuesday.

Second-half goals from Lincoln and Paulinho sealed a dominant win for Carlo Amadeu's men but they could and should have added to their goal tally. 

Striker Lincoln was flanked by Brenner on the left and Paulinho on the right for Brazil. Alan slotted in behind the striker with Victor Bobsin and Marcos Antonio featuring in the double pivot.

Left-back Weverson and right back Wesley ran provided width next to the centre back pairing of Vitao and Lucas Halter. Skipper Yuh Min started on the right for DPR Korea, with Kim Hwi Hwang leading the line. 

Brazil were an immediate threat after kick-off, with Brenner laying it off for Lincoln who managed to get the ball past the defender but not the goalkeeper Sin Tae Song.

Alan, who impressed against Spain, took control of the proceedings early on in the game. In the 12th minute, he released Paulinho who had come narrow from the right but the forward could only find the side-netting.

Three minutes later, Kim Chung Jin embarked on a lung-busting run from midfield and picked out Hwi Hwang who cut inside and unleashed a strong effort on target.
Brazil kept moving the ball around quickly and the wingers Paulinho and Brenner switched flanks at regular intervals. 

DPR Korea's touches on the ball in the first half were few and far between but despite Brazil's 75 percent possession, there weren't any goals to boast about before the half-time whistle was blown.

The Selecao youth did not have to wait too long after the restart to get the reward for their efforts as they scored two goals in five minutes to stun Chollima. Weverson's free kick in the 56th minute was deflected off the wall towards Lincoln who timed his jump to perfection and nodded the ball into the net.

If the first goal did not have the Brazilian flavour to it, the second more than made up for it. A quick set of passes just outside the box allowed Brenner to spot an unmarked Paulinho who coolly slotted the ball into the net to double his team's lead.

Brazao, who had a relatively quiet game,  was called into action twice in two minutes as the game entered the final minutes. WIth 10 minutes left on the clock, Victor Bobsin cynically brought down his marker and from the resulting free-kick, skipper Yun Min curled a shot towards the top right corner which demanded a strong diving save from Gabriel Brazao. Kim Pom Hyok stuck a smooth shot right at goal soon after, but Brazao was down to punch it away in time.

A tired DPR Korea side looked like they gave up much before the final whistle, as Brazil passed it around for fun to register their second win in the tournament and to top the group.
Brazil will now lock horns against Niger in their final group game.
 

 

Nisanth V Easwar