European powerhouse display sublime skills as well as brute power for 4-0 victory over Colombia; seal berth in FIFAâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088U-17 World Cup quarter-finals
Germany produced a combination of sublime skills and brute power as they laid bare Colombia's defensive frailties with a clinical 4-0 victory in their pre-quarterfinal match in the FIFA U-17 World Cup here yesterday.
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German players celebrate their team's fourth goal against Colombia during the FIFA U-17 World Cup match yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
Captain shows the way
Captain and star striker Jann-Fiete Arp (7th and 65th) struck twice while Yann Bisseck (39th) and John Yeboah (49th) scored a goal each to help Germany reach the quarter-finals. Germany, whose best show in the tournament has been a runners-up finish way back in the first edition in 1985, now face the winners of the pre-quarterfinal match between Brazil and Honduras on October 18 in Kochi in the quarter-finals to be played in Kolkata on October 22. If Brazil happen to win their pre quarter-finals, it will be a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between the colts teams of the two footballing giants.
Germany had struggled to get the goals against their opponents in a relatively easier Group 'C' but their strikers had a field day, taking cracks at will as the Colombian defence put up an apology of a performance. All the goals scored by Germany were defensive bloopers committed either by Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier or the back four. On certain occasions, the defensive mistakes reached up to comical proportions.
Colombia's woeful defence
The Colombians, who had broke Indian hearts beating hosts 2-1, had finished second in Group 'A', but it was a forgettable day. Their defence was woeful for a South American side in a global showpiece event. Their right winger Juan Panaloza, who scored both the goals against India, had an off day as he was checked by the German defenders for most part of the match.