Spain top Group A
Hungary u17 0-2 Spain u17
May 8 2006
By Andrew Haigh, Stade Deich, Ettelbruck.
Favourites Spain booked their place in the semi-finals
with a convincing 2-0 victory of Hungary.
The Spanish now meet the Czech Republic in the semi-finals on Thursday.
After torrential rain before the match in Luxembourg, the Stade Deich pitch was soaked and conditions were less
than ideal.
But with Hungary desperately needing a win to qualify for the semi-finals, it was unsurprising to see the Jozsef
Both's side practicing their finishing during the pre-match warm-up.
The Spanish once again began the game without 15-year-old Bojan Krkic in their starting line-up.
Spain dominated the opening exchanges with a series of crisp passing movements which have typified their performances,
and hardly gave Hungary a sniff.
But as the eastern European side came in to the game, they had the clearest effort of the match.
Adam Dudas' dangerous free-kick on 10 minutes from the left wing was curling goal-wards but it was headed over
by his team-mate Andras Debreceni from six yards.
Aaron Niguez had showed some of the skills that proved decisive against the Russians on Friday and he could have
given his team the lead when he flicked the ball wide from a Cristian Vergara cross. The Valencia FC striker should
have buried Spain's first notable effort but his shot was wide of the left upright.
Niguez's strike partner Ruben Ramos then gave Spain an 18th minute lead, which they duly deserved.
Spanish captain Cesar Azpilicueta lofted a cross to Ramos who was unmarked in the centre of the Hungarian defence.
Ramos headed into the top right of goal to leave Hungary with a mountain to climb.
To the Hungarians credit, they fought back with a succession of corners and strong attacking play, but couldn't
force an equaliser.
The best of those efforts came when striker Krisztian Nemeth's precise through ball found Adam Dudas whose shot
across goal was powerful but off target.
Niguez again was the catalyst in almost every Spanish attack and just before the break had a number of individual
efforts that would have impressed the on-looking scouts in the stands.
But Nemeth remained a constant threat at the other end and on the stroke of half time had a 20-yard drive saved
by Spanish 'keeper Sergio Asenjo who had rushed off his line to block the shot.
Hungary coach Joszef Both would have known that his side had a mountain to clime at half time in order to progress
from the group stages with Russia beating hosts Luxembourg 1-0.
But Both refused to panic and made no changes to his side's line-up during the break. His counterpart however,
Juan Santisteban once again introduced super-sub Krkic.
Krkic's impact was immediate as he made some of his trademark runs in field setting up early chances for Niguez
and Ramos.
And despite Spain's continuing dominance, Hungary maintained their threat in attack.
Skipper Victor Koman sent Dudas through once more, but his shot, this time on target, was saved by 'keeper Asenjo.
12 minutes from time, Hungary's frustration continued when they had Daniel Lengyel sent off for a punch on Cesar
Ortiz.
Seven minutes later their misery was compounded when Krkic's influence proved too much.
The 15-year-old was brought down in the area before he got up to confidently score the spot-kick, confidently drilling
the ball hard and low in the centre of the goal.
The goal made the Barcelona striker joint top-scorer in the finals with four, despite only playing 45 minutes in
each of Spain's three matches.
Teams:
Hungary: Milan Baliko, Attila Busai, Andras Gal, Andras Debreceni, Vladimir Koman (c), Adam Dudas, Kristian Nemeth,
Adrian Szekeres, Adam Presinger, Laszjo Szabo, Daniel Lengyel.
Subs: Peter Gulacsi, Gergo Rasa, Tamas Nagy, Mark Nikhazi, Andras Simon, Peter Toth, Adam Simon,
Teams:
Spain: Sergio Asenjo, Ramon Soria, Roberto Garcia, Ignacio Camacho, Cesar Azpilcueta (c), , Aaron Niguez, Cristian
Vergara, Cesar Ortiz, Ruben Ramos, Guillem Savall, Jose Baena.
Subs: Jesus Coca, Manuel Castellano, Pedro Alcala, , Bojan Krkic, Marcos Gullon, Jose M. Hermosa. |
