FIFA U-17 WC: Brazil down Honduras, set up quarterfinal with Germany

Carlos Mejia of Honduras and Wesley of Brazil in action. Photo: Robert Vinod

Kochi: A brace by Brenner and a strike by Marcos Antonio handed Brazil a comfortable 3-0 win over Honduras in their FIFA U-17 World Cup pre-quarterfinal clash here on Wednesday.

The three-time champions will take on Germany in a high-voltage quarterfinal in Kolkata on Sunday.

As expected Brazil kept attacking from the outset. Lincoln failed to make the most of a fine cross from the right wing by Wesley in the fifth minute.

Three minutes later Brenner's first touch let him down inside the Honduras penalty area after being fed by Lincoln.

Brazil shot into the lead as Wesley gave a fine ball to Alan whose pass was tapped in from close range by Brenner in the 11th minute.

Honduras made a rare attacking move in the 18th. But Carlose Mejia's fine cross from the left wing was parried away by Brzlian goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao.

Star midfielder Alan,who returned to the Brazilian starting line-up after being benched in their final group game against Niger, tested the Honduras goalkeeper with a long-ranger in the 20th. But Alex Rivera was equal to the task and averted danger by conceding a corner kick.

The 4-5-1 combination employed by Honduras coach Jose Valladares disrupted the rhythm of the Brazilians for a short period.

Brief spell of domination

Honduras came close to scoring an unlikely equalizer in the 32nd when Luis Palma's shot richoted off the post.

Palma spurned another chance the very next moment as his feeble shot was gathered by Brazao.

The holiday crowd were happy to egg on the underdogs whenever they made a promising move. The Central Americans enjoyed a brief spell of domination, but it was Brazil who went into the break with a two-goal advantage as Antonio scored in the 44th after pouncing on a through ball from Paulinho.

Brazil dominated the game on resumption. Wesley could only hit the side-netting in the 54th. Wesley was in the thick of action a couple of minutes later, but he lost his footing inside the box as Rivera came charging. However, Brenner seized the opportunity and fired into an open net to consolidate Brazil's position.

With the job done, Brazilian coach Carlos Amadeu replaced Alan with Helio Junio in the 63rd.

Honduras were unlucky not to pull one back when Mejia's left-footed shot rattled the post in the 70th.

Brazil were happy to keep position in the final minutes of the game and it did not go down well with the crowd who let their displeasure known.

Read more: Sports | Football | FIFA U-17 World Cup