Reuben Buhari
10 November 2009
Kaduna — Last year's finalists, Spain were stretched into the extra time penalty shootout with Uruguay before they could progress into the semi-final of the Under 17 Youth World Cup at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna yesterday.
The Spaniards were clearly the aggressors in the first half. But it was Uruguay who went ahead against the run of play in the 11th minute through Adrian Luna who plays for Defensor Sporting from a free kick inside the 18 yard box of the Spaniards.
But seven minutes later, Spain were on level term from the penalty spot through Isco from Valencia.
On the 19th minute his effort to put Spain ahead was foiled by Uruguay keeper, Salvador Ichazo.
Spain almost scored again in the 29th minute when again Isco headed was what a goal-bound header, but was rewarded with a penalty when he was brought down by Federico who was red carded for the foul. But Sergei Roberto from Barcelona had his penalty shot blocked by the Uruguayan keeper.
The one-man difference against the Uruguayans was corrected when the Spanish captain, Marc Muniesca from Barcelona was sent off- just before the half time mark.
But nine minute after the resumption of hostilities, Borja scored two rapid quick goals to put Spain 3- 1 ahead, but the Uruguayans who seemed to have been pepped up by the half time talk, scored in the 71st minute through substitute Gabriel Mesquida and added another one later through Sabastian Galegos. With parity restored between both sides, the largely 10,281 local spectators became partisan as they shifted their support to the Uruguayans.
Despite that, the game was deadlocked and had to go into extra time.
Spain and Uruguay both scored two of their first penalty kicks. But it was Uruguay that bungled their third kick while the Spaniard also missed their fourth chance when the Uruguayan goal-keeper parried away, and the Spanish keeper also blocked the next kick and finally ISCO neatly tucked the winning goal in the fifth kick to ensure a semi final berth for Spain.
Later at a post match conference, Uruguayan coach Roland Marcenaro, attributed loss of concentration for his team's exit from the tournament while Gines Melendez, the Spanish coach said his boys prevailed because of their technical supremacy.
He congratulated the Uruguay for the resolute way they played especially by coming back from 3 - 1 to 3- 3 before full time and insisted that his team won because they were better. He also praised the center referee Carlos Batres from Guamfor the manner he handled the match.
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