Germany too good for Colombia

A dominant Germany inflicted a 4-0 defeat on Colombia to enter the quarterfinals of the FIFA under-17 World Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Monday.

Germany captain Jann-Fiete Arp (7th minute, 65th) led from the front by scoring a double and assisting one, with Yann Bisseck (39th) and John Yeboah (49th) too joining the party, in a painfully lopsided affair. 

In hot and humid conditions, Germany dominated the contest with their fast-paced and incisive attacks. The Colombian team brought flair to their game but could never breach the maze of German defence. Before long, Colombia had lost the battle in the head, too, and looked nowhere near the team which finished second in Group A.

The Europeans set the tone and tenor of the contest when the match was mere seven minutes old. A goalkeeping blunder from Kevin Mier allowed captain Arp to score his third goal in four matches. Arp, assisted by Yeboah, took a shot at the goal from the right flank but Mier lunged to grab the ball, before it slipped from his grasp. Arp swiftly pounced on the loose ball and slotted it home with a firm left-footer.

It drew a brief wave of attacks from Colombia with Dieber Caidedo on the right flank putting up an impressive show. But at best, the Colombian moves were half baked. The South American unit tried out long range passes, but to no avail. They, however, came close twice to shoot an equaliser. In the 22nd minute, Yadir Meneses cut inside but his attempt sailed over. Couple of minutes later skipper Thomas Gutierrez took a shot at the target but once again the ball went over.

Barring this short leeway, the Germans assumed complete control of the proceedings. Yeboah, on right wing, and Dennis Jastrzembski, on the left, created havoc for Colombia who were absolutely overwhelmed by the superior play of their opponents. It helped Germany to make regular openings.

Yeboah, in the 33rd minute, had nearly scored with a scorcher. His shot from the edge of the box beat Mier, only to hit the crossbar. Six minutes later, Germany doubled their lead when Bisseck headed home a corner kick. Jastrzembski could have glossed the score line further but his shot in the 44th minute went awry. Germany left for the break with 2-0 lead with Colombia having their task cut out on resumption.

Germany pile misery

The nightmarish evening for Colombia, though, was far from over.  Germany was simply unstoppable against their scattered midfield and defence and increased the lead within nine minutes of second essay. Arp, outclassing the midfied, sent a minus and an alert Yeboah, beating the defender, slotted home.

Arp then scored his fourth goal of the tournament when he stole the ball from Guillermo Tegue and sprinted inside the empty box. His shot beat the diving Mier and snuffed out the Colombia’s challenge. The South Americans came close to scoring at the fag end, but it proved to be too late, and too little.

DH News Service