England continue dominance with 4-0 win over Iraq; both qualify for Rd of 16
England colts continued their domination crushing Iraq 4-0 in their final Group F league encounter to set up a pre-quarterfinal date with Japan in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, here on Saturday. Having won all their three matches, the Young Lions topped Group F with nine points while the Lions of Mesopotamia in their second World Cup appearance also qualified for the last-16 by finishing second with four points. Iraq will lock horns against Mali in their first U-17 World cup pre-quarterfinal appearance, while England and Japan will square off in Kolkata.
An England (left) and Iraq player vie for the ball during the FIFA U-17 World Cup match in Kolkata on Saturday. Pic/PTI
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Chile make exit
Having held to a goalless draw by Chile in Guwahati, two-time champions Mexico finished third with two points, while Chile made exit with a single point. Starting for the first time and with the captain's arm- band, Manchester United junior Angel Gomes put the team ahead in the 11th minute while Arsenal graduate Emile Smith-Rowe doubled the lead (57th) on his World Cup debut.
Having missed Mohd Dawood flair all through the first half, Iraq finally brought on their leading scorer in the 47th minute but it hardly helped their cause as England sealed the issue with Daniel Loader (59th and 71st) scoring twice in a space of 12 minutes. A minute after his inclusion, Dawood had a crack at the goal but his right-footed attempt from the centre of the box went too high.
Japan qualifies
East Asian powerhouse Japan were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited New Caledonia but scraped through to the pre-quarterfinals from Group E. Keito Nakamura dribbled his way past the New Caledonia defence from the right to score for Japan. It looked like a walk in the park for the Japanese who toyed the U-17 World Cup debutants. But it was not to be and Japan survived a second-half scare with New Caledonia making some incisive second-half raids.
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