Italy, Colombia secure quarter final tickets

The U-17 teams of Colombia and Italy have secured their places in the final eight in the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup: Nigeria 2009. Colombia edged out Argentina while Italy defeated the United States to sail through.

After going up twice in the 15th and 57th minutes, Argentina were sent crashing out by the skillful and resilient Colombians, who scored two goals in the last two minutes to come back from a 2-0 deficit to win the classic all-South American derby 3-2 in Ijebu-Ode - they had earlier drawn one back in the 65th minute of the battle.

The Cafeteros will now meet Turkey, who defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0, in the quarter-finals.

Goals from the duo of Leandro Gonzalez and Sergio Araujo put the Argentines on course for a shot at the title which has eluded the country thus far. However, the Colombian response came just six minutes later with Jeison Murillo sliding home an acrobatic volley from a corner kick. The Colombians, not wanting a defeat, drew level in the 88th minute through Jean Blanco. Then, in the 91st minute, they claimed their famous win. Hector Quinones got on the end of a build-up from deep in midfield and slipped the ball inside the far post to turn Argentina’s title dreams to dust.

In the match at the Kaduna centre, Italy moved into its first quarter-final appearance since 1987, avenging previous losses to U.S.A. in 1991 and 2005, as they powered away with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Giacomo Beretta in the 29th minute and Pietro Lemmello in the 56th were good enough to edge out the U.S. team whose only goal was scored by Nick Palodich uk in the 51st minute. Other second round matches were still on at the time the report was filed. At the Lagos centre, Switzerland booked a quarter final place with a 4-3 victory over European champions, Germany in an exciting match that went into extra time.