With a Round-of-16 spot at stake, clinical Mali opened their FIFA U-17 World Cup account with three points in the bag after a dominating 3-0 win over Turkey in the second round of Group 'B' clash at the DY Patil Stadium in Nerul yesterday. After a narrow 3-2 defeat against Paraguay in their opening match where The Eagles were termed an "overenthusiastic bunch" by coach Jonas Komla, Mali looked a much composed and dangerous outfit on the day. Adopting a 4-2-4 formation, last edition's runners-up toyed with the Turkish defence with consummate ease. The Crescent Stars were at the receiving end of Mali's precision passes, well-timed tackles and thunderous waves of attacks. "Losing the first game changed the boys. We are treating all matches as if it is the finals. We made many tactical changes," Mali head coach Jonas Komla said.

Mali's Djemoussa Travore (right) and Turkey's Ozan Kabak vie for the ball in the FIFA U-17 World Cup clash at Nerul. Pic/Suresh Karkera