Italy, South Korea advance at U-20 World Cup
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | 1:16 AM ET
CBC Sports
Gianvito Misuraca of Italy (17) tries to score on keeper Sergio Asenjo in a 3-1 victory over Spain at Cairo, Egypt, on Monday. (Khaled Desouki/Getty Images)Italy booked its place in the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup on Monday by beating 10-man Spain 3-1, while South Korea also advanced with a 3-0 victory over Paraguay.
Spain had eased through its group games without conceding a goal, but struggled Monday after losing Alberto Botia in the 28th minute for a foul on Andrea Mazzarani.
Spain coach Luis Milla called the sending off a "harsh" decision but said: "It was individual mistakes that cost us the match."
Spain was simply overwhelmed in the second half at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo.
Italy scored in the 55th after Mazzarani's pass gave Mattia Mustacchio enough space to clip his shot past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo, and Mazzarani punished poor defending in the 61st, brushing aside a weak tackle to beat Asenjo.
Spain replied through Aaron Niguez's penalty in the 66th, but Niguez then missed from the spot in the 84th, and three minutes later Mustacchio burst down the left and finished brilliantly.
"This was a victory of heart and mind. We beat one of the favourites for the title, now we are confident," Italy coach Francesco Rocca said. "We believe we can go all the way now."
The Koreans utilized their speed and fitness at Cairo International Stadium to press the South Americans and missed two good chances before the break.
Kim Bo-kyung scored the opener in the 56th minute, chipping in a loose ball in after a shot from Kim Min-woo was parried by Paraguay keeper Joel Silva.
Kim Min-woo then scored on a counter-attack in the 60th and made it 3-0 with a header 10 minutes later.
Paraguay was reduced to 10 men a minute later when Rodrigo Burgos received a second booking.
South Korea players formed a circle and danced in celebration after the game ended, cheered on by some 200 ecstatic Korean fans at Cairo International Stadium.
"I didn't expect to win by 3-0 tonight," Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. "Our players were fantastic tonight.
"We're getting better with every game. No one knows how far we'll go. I'm planning to play three more matches."
"But to do that, you always have to concentrate on your next opponent," he added.
Paraguay coach Adrian Coria said his team had simply not played well.
"We never got on top of the game," Coria said. "We had a good spell for about 15 minutes before things went badly again."
"Our opponent was of the highest quality. They did a great job and the deserved the victory— congratulations, Korea."
With files from The Associated Press
