CAIRO: The results of the first two matches in the 16th round of the U-20 World Cup turned expectations upside down sparking doubt over the strongest contenders for the title after both Italy and South Korea surprised Spain and Paraguay with 3-1 and 3-0 victories.
While fans at Al-Salam stadium were discussing how many goals Spain will score, Italy grabbed a victory through Mattia Mustacchio and Andrea Mazzarani, while Aaron Niguez scored Spain s goal from a penalty kick.
The first half passed with very few incidents on both sides. A red card for Alberto Botia in the 28th minute was the highlight, but the Spanish team kept its cohesion for the remaining 15 minutes.
The second half was where all the action kicked in. Italy took advantage of a 10-man Spain and scored its first through a ball to Mustacchio who easily buried it in the net.
As Spain struggled for an equalizer, Italy scored its second through one of its lethal counter attacks by Mazzarani.
With all the Italian team playing defense, a foul inside the penalty area by Michelangelo Albertazzi saw Spain come back into the game with a successful penalty kick by Niguez.
While Spain continued to keep possession of the ball, their goalkeeper made some heroic saves.
In the 84th minute, another penalty kick was awarded to Spain but Fincenzo Fiorello saved the day for Italy by denying Spain a second equalizer. Three minutes later, Italy gave Spain the knockout when Mustacchio scored the team’s third through a quick counter attack.
At this stage, any opponent can be difficult; Italy came very strong in the beginning and we lost the game because of individual mistakes, Luis Milla, the Spanish team coach said after the game.
Italian coach Francesco Rocca said it was a victory of heart and mind after beating the favorites for the final.
The secret is in our brief but strong preparation. We only had 10 days to prepare while other teams had years, but I focused on the physical side and it worked, Rocca said.
Before the game, Spain s match was a nightmare; now we have beaten them I don t know where will we arrive and I don t want to put an aim, we’ll just do our best, he told Daily News Egypt.
As Spain bids Egypt 2009 farewell, Italy waits for the winner from Hungary and the Czech Republic.
At Cairo stadium, South Korea stunned a solid Paraguay side with three goals from Kim Bo Kyung and Kim Min Woo.
After a slow first half, a courageous Korean side hammered Paraguay in the second dominating play, not allowing chances for the South Americans to return in the game as Sanatander and Jorge Moreira seemed helpless in front of the goal.
Things got worse for Paraguay after their Midfielder Rodrigo Burdos was given a red card after receiving his second yellow.
Korea took advantage of the red card and scored its third through a wonderful solo effort by Kim Min Woo.
Korea awaits the winner of Ghana and South Africa.
