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Article
retrieved from:
http://www.fifa.com/en/display/article,71759.html
FIFA
U-17 World Championship Finland 2003
Brazil crowned champions of the
junior world
(FIFA.com)
30 Aug 2003
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Action Images - Alex Morton
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Brazil
claimed a record third title at junior level after defeating Spain
1-0 in the Final of the FIFA U-17 World Championship Finland 2003 in
Helsinki on Saturday. A seventh-minute strike from defender Leonardo
was the only goal of a competitive and highly skilled game in which
many of the performers seem set to go on to bigger things.
One
more goal was needed in the finals to equal the record set at Egypt
97, and it arrived within three minutes of the kick off. Captain
Joao’s 25-yard curling free kick struck the inside of the far post
and rebounded to Leonardo, who smashed the ball high into the roof
of the net (1-0, 7’), sparking off the familiar Brazilian drum
beat.
Spain
had started the game where they had left off in their semi-final
against Argentina, caressing the ball around the slick Töölö
turf. However they almost went two behind moments later when, in a
similar fashion to the opening goal, Ederson’s sweet half-volley
was saved by Mandaluniz to the feet of Abuda. Brazil’s joint top
marksman could only manage to slam the ball against the crossbar
from six yards.
The
chance spurred strikers Evandro and Ederson into showing off their
awesome skills for a while, and the latter almost extended their
lead when his flicked header was cleared off the line. But it was
Spain, with Valencia midfielders Sisi and Silva swapping wings, who
were beginning to dominate possession and the skilful Jurado came
close twice before half-time.
Marshalled
by the impressive Joao, the Selecao defence, which had
conceded just one goal in the finals, was again looking
impenetrable. Jurado appeared the most likely for Spain after the
break. Twenty-five yards out, the Real Madrid midfielder turned and
struck a left-footer inches over the bar (54’).
After
a slow start to the second period, the game suddenly came to life.
From another free kick, Joao curled an effort inches wide (55’),
then Bruno pulled out perhaps the save of the tournament to deny
Xisco’s strong back-post header (62’). The Furia Roja had
the bit between their teeth for the first time in the match and,
encouraged by the packed Töölö crowd, they pushed forward for the
equaliser. Silva headed over from a corner (66’), and from the
left Xisco shot too close to Bruno (71’).
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Action Images - Alex Morton
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But
Brazil, now playing on the break, almost sealed the game when Abuda,
getting behind the Spanish rearguard, sent over a tantalising cross
for Evandro to head into the grateful arms of Mandaluniz
(76’).
Spain
continued to press though. Cesc, who had been kept quiet after his
semi-final heroics, stole some room inside the box after another
wonderful defence-splitting move, but the Barcelona teenager’s
left-foot shot flew well wide (78’). Having come on as a
substitute, striker David then volleyed into side netting when well
positioned (81’).
With
the match moving into injury time, Cesc shot into Bruno’s arms.
The keeper then stretched to tip over Arzo’s header. But it was
not to be Spain’s day and Brazil and their fans celebrated wildly
at the final whistle.
Afterwards
Brazil’s coach Paqueta said it was the perfect reward after two
years of hard work: “It was not our best performance of the finals
–perhaps we scored too early. But today the result was more
important than the show.”
A
proud Spain coach Juan Santisteban, who also lost out in the Final
12 years ago, claimed his side had deserved more from the
game.
“It
was Spain who played like Brazilians,” he said, responding to a
question about Brazil’s style. “We had so many chances in the
second half but just couldn’t put the ball away – but that’s
football. I hope some of these players can now go on to become the
stars of tomorrow.”
Article
retrieved from:
http://www.fifa.com/en/display/article,71692.html
FIFA
U-17 World Championship Finland 2003
Effervescent Ederson out for revenge
(FIFA.com) 26 Aug 2003
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Number 10 Ederson will be doing his silky best to get Brazil
into the final.
Action Images - Lee Smith
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Only
1-0 up and six minutes into the second half in Turku, Brazil were
coming under heavy pressure from Freddy Adu and his American mates.
And just as it looked like the South Americans were about to concede
a crucial equaliser, brilliant midfielder Ederson collected the ball
on the left side of the box, stepped over once, twice, and a third
time before picking up his head and chipping delicately over Phil
Marfuggi to sink the States. After the match, the sumptuously
skilful creator sat down with FIFA.com to discuss Brazilian
football, the upcoming semi-final with Colombia and the
responsibility of wearing the number 10 for Brazil.
“We
began to move up the field quickly and against the run of play,”
he said recalling the goal that put the quarter-final beyond doubt.
“The U.S. were really putting a lot of pressure on us…I
controlled the ball, made a couple of moves on the defender and I
got lucky to hit it exactly the way I needed to, with just enough
pressure to put it over the goalkeeper’s head.”
With
a smile spreading across his lips, the handsome young number 10
added, “This is by far the prettiest goal I have scored in the
Brazil shirt.”
When
asked about the pressures of wearing the fabled number ten for
Brazil, the youngster seemed unfazed.
“I
have worn the shirt for some time now – through all the South
American qualifiers,” shrugged the player who idolises famous
number 9 Ronaldo. “So I do not feel too much pressure with the
shirt on my back. But I take the great responsibility very
seriously.”
Ederson
was in the team that lost 0-1 to Colombia in the second round of the
South American qualifiers, and he makes his motivations for the
upcoming semi-final against the Cafeteros clear as day.
“Of
course we would like to take revenge on Colombia because they beat
us in the South American qualifying tournament,” he said with the
smile suddenly disappearing from his lips. “But more importantly
we need to beat them in order to make it to the final – and
achieve our ultimate goal. So we have two reasons to be up for the
match.”
When
asked about the joy that seems to pervade the Brazilian squad,
Ederson’s face lights up once more.
“Our
technique is much different than anyone else’s,” he says. “Our
style of play makes a big difference. No one plays football the way
we do in Brazil.”
“The
coach always tells us to be happy, play good football, and enjoy
ourselves. We must have great determination, but football must also
be something to enjoy. Being happy with your team and with the game
is very important.”
Returning
to their home base of Tampere and up against a Colombian team that
have yet to play a match off the artificial turf of Helsinki’s
Töölö stadium, Ederson fired a warning.
“We
just want to win. All the time we want to win. There is a tremendous
responsibility to have success when you wear the Brazilian shirt.
Every time we play, we try to get better and improve. Being one of
the last four teams at a world championship is not an easy thing to
do. We are proud of what we have done here…and we want to
continue.”
Underdogs
Colombia play with their whole heart
Colombia will surely be no pushover for silky Ederson and his Auriverde.
Back on 14 May, the Cafeteros managed to blank Brazil on the
strength of a Fredy Guarin solo blast in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
“Brazil are one of the best teams in the world and have some great
players,” said Colombia’s number 10 Sebastian Hernandez of
Mexican club side Atlas.
“As
a nation we have never come so far in a world championship so it is
wonderful for all of Colombia,” said head coach Eduardo Lara after
the comprehensive 2-0 quarter-final win over Central American
outsiders Costa Rica.
In
four matches the Colombians have scored an impressive 13 goals. With
a stingy defence and a special knack for slowing the pace of the
game down and keeping possession, the South Americans will be more
than a handful for Brazil.
Brazil
boss Paqueta knows the dangers better than anyone. “Colombia is a
very strong team,” he said. “We will be motivated for a win
though. Obviously we must beat them, but also because they beat us
in the qualifying tournament.”
“We
will keep on dreaming about the championship, which we came here to
win…we are among the top four sides in the world and we want to go
even farther.”
“We
have humility and respect…we give all our heart and play for the
Colombian shirt above all, said defender Harrison Morales. “Just
like the coach (Lara) tells us, we give everything and we will make
life difficult for any side we face.”
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