Brazil, Morocco gain youth soccer semis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-25 10:57

Defending champions Brazil ousted Germany 2-1 in extra time and Morocco upset Italy in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the World Youth Championship on Friday.

Morocco tied Italy 2-2 through 120 minutes before goalkeeper Mohammed Bourkadi stopped two penalties in the shootout. He also saved two during the game to lead his team to the semifinals for the first time.

In Tilburg, Brazil's standout defender Rafael scored the winner in the 99th minute.

Brazil's Roberto, left, fight for the ball with German Paul Thomik, right, during their quarterfinal World Championships soccer U20 match Germany versus Brazil at the Willem II stadium in Tilburg, southern Netherlands, Tuesday June 24, 2005. [AP]

Brazil, seeking their record fifth title, were not impressive on offense for most of the match but had enough to earn a semifinal berth against either Spain or Argentina. Morocco will face either the Netherlands or Nigeria.

Even when Germany had the lead, Brazil coach Rene Weber never doubted his team.

"No, I never thought we would go out. I knew we would fight until the end," Weber said. "I knew something would happen."

Alexander Huber scored the first goal of the lackluster match in the 68th minute, knocking in a corner kick at the right post for a 1-0 Germany lead.

Brazil tied it with eight minutes remaining when Edcarlos hit the crossbar with a bicycle kick and Diego Tardelli headed in the rebound.

In Utrecht, Morocco dominated the opening phase and scored first in the 26th when forward Nabil el Zhar found a cross at the near post.

Bourkadi then saved his first two penalties from Italian midfielder Simone Bentivoglio. He dived right and stopped Bentivoglio's first try. When South Korean referee Kwon Jong-chul ordered it retaken, saying the goalie came off his line, Bourkadi saved the second attempt with his foot.

"That was the most difficult one," Bourkadi said. "You have to have some luck."

Michele Canini tied it for Italy in the 74th minute, sending the game into extra time.

Morocco went ahead again in the 93rd when Italy defender Francesco Battaglia accidentally headed in an own goal on a free kick. But Graziano Pelle tied it in the 113th.

In the shootout, Bourkadi saved penalties from Daniele Galloppa and Cristian Agnelli, pushing them both away easily to the delight of the Moroccan fans.

Close

The 13th Annual ESPY Awards The 13th Annual ESPY Awards China lost to Cuba 3-2 in volleyball GP

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Taiwan's KMT Party to elect new leader Saturday         'No trouble brewing,' beer industry insists         Critics see security threat in Unocal bid         DPRK: Nuke-free peninsula our goal         Workplace death toll set to soar in China         No foreign controlling stakes in steel firms	Fit-again Hao sets sights on Premiership prize with Blades       Vieira move to Juve sealed - report       China downs Cuba in women's basketball international       Yao Ming predicts 2008 medal glory       Gilardino's transfer to Milan put on hold       Robinho ready to become Real player