Germany leave it late in opener - FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP
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| The team of Germany pose for a group picture |
- Germany recorded 25 shots to Costa Rica's nine
- Noah Awuku broke 1-1 deadlock in dying moments
- Germany face Iran, Costa Rica meet Guinea in next group games
Germany largely controlled their Group C opener in the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 against Costa Rica, but they were made to wait until the 89th minute in Goa when Noah Awuku's goal gave them the full three points.
The Costa Rican defence will be kicking themselves after failing to properly clear a late cross, which the substitute finished with confidence. To be fair, the Europeans were unfortunate to be even on the scoresheet after dominating the opening half following a glaring miss in the early going by Jose Alfaro could have put Los Ticos ahead.
Nicolas Kuehn was often the playmaker and starlet Jann-Fiete Arp was the danger man in the box for Germany, and it was the Hamburg striker who opened the scoring with a deft chip in the 21st minute after Kuehn won the ball in midfield and split the defence with his pass.
A precise finish into the corner of the net just after the hour mark by Andres Gomez made the score 1-1, and the match looked to be heading to a draw despite Germany’s run of play, but Awuku was the late hero for Christian Wuck's men.