The Netherlands continued their renewed form in the knockout stages with an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay to book their semi-final berth in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Brazil.
The European champions opened the scoring in the 30th minute through defender Ki-Jana Hoever, then doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when the tournament’s leading goalscorer Sontje Hansen chipped over the sliding Angel Gonzalez.
Despite conceding in first-half stoppage time due to a defensive error, the Dutch kept their form through the second period. They netted twice in the final 15 minutes to set up a semi-final date in Brasilia on 14 November with Mexico.
The Dutch controlled possession from the whistle and could have opened scoring as early as the 10th minute.
Their first goal came from a move started by captain Kenneth Taylor. Taylor’s cross to Hoever, who was isolated on the right wing with Fabio Barrios, set up the Liverpool player’s opening goal.
Forward Jayden Braaf, who assisted Hansen’s in their second goal, put the match beyond their rivals in the 78th minute. Hansen picked out Naci Unuvar for a close-range goal eight minutes later, making the final score reflect the Netherlands’ command of the match.
Diego Duarte took full advantage of Devyne Rensch’s botched clearance to tap into an open net for Paraguay’s consolation goal just before the half-time whistle.
Substitute Ali Avila’s leaping header lifted Mexico over Korea 1-0 and into the semi-final matchup against the resurgent Dutch.
Struggling with the obstinate Korean defence for most of the match, Mexico found the one moment of magic they needed to advance.
It came from Jose Ruiz and Avila, who turned what looked like a half-chance into a goal 13 minutes from fulltime.
Jose Ruiz’s right-footed cross from the byline hung in the air, and Avila skied over his defender to redirect the ball into the far corner of the net, leaving Korean goalkeeper Shin Songhoon flat-footed.
The Mexicans came close to take the lead in the first half, when Alejandro Gomez bent his free-kick expertly around the Korean wall and pinged the crossbar from 27 yards.
Like the Mexicans, Korea also struck the crossbar in the first half with Choi Minseo missing the chance by the barest of margins in the 14th minute.
Though they enjoyed more possession in the first half, that was as close as the Asian side came to scoring in the half. They were denied again late in the second half. Goalkeeper Eduardo Garcia reacted quickly to deny Jeong Sangbin’s headed shot at the far post in the 85th minute, preserving the victory.
Spain play France while hosts Brazil take on Italy in the other quarter-final matches to be played tomorrow.
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