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Gambia Congo reach U-20 last 16
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Wins
for Gambia and Congo at the under-20 World Cup in Canada on Sunday secured
second round places for all the four African sides in the tournament.Gambia and
Congo dramatically beat Portugal and hosts Canada 2-1 and 2-0 respectively to
book their places in the last 16.
They will join Nigeria and Zambia who
secured their second round place on Saturday. The Gambian side surprised a
significantly changed but favoured Portugal in despite playing for the last half
hour with 10 men. It all seemed so unlikely in the opening stages of the match
when Congo-born defensive midfielder Feliciano Condesso headed the Iberians
ahead past the wildly charging Gambian goalkeeper in the 20th minute.
However, the Baby Scorpions looked
consistently dangerous going forward and they evened the match just before the
break amid howls of Portuguese displeasure.
Ous Jallow calmly side-footed a penalty
past the right-guessing goalkeeper. Gambia suffered a blow just before the hour
mark when Ken Jammeh was sent off for an unruly studs-up challenge on Andre
Maques which ended the Portuguese's match and possibly tournament.
But the Baby Scorpions rallied and grabbed
the winner through substitute Abdoulie Mansally in the 68th minute when he
curled in a free-kick from the right side that missed everyone's head and snuck
in at the far post.
Earlier in the day, Congo needed a win to
over hosts Canada move on, and They got the all-important opening goal just
before the half hour mark when Gracia Ikouma deftly headed down a cross to
Ermejea Ngakosso, who volleyed it in off his knee.
The small but vocal Congolese contingent
celebrated wildly, and they doubled their pleasure as Gracia Ikouma beat two
defenders and finished well on the hour mark. Congo now advance to the last 16
to meet Mexico on Thursday while Nigeria face Zambia. Gambia will take on
Austria on Wednesday.
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