Germany have opened their FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007
campaign with a draw after the Europeans let slip a two-goal lead
in their Group F meeting with Colombia at the Cheonan Sports
Complex on Monday 20 August.
Germany had the better of the early exchanges, but the
opening goal of the match fell to the South Americans when captain
Miguel Julio rose to meet a 14th-minute free kick with a powerful
header. The Germans quickly recovered and began creating chances
before Dennis Dowidat netted a spectacular 34th-minute equaliser,
accelerating past his marker down the right and arrowing a drive
into the far top corner from a tight angle. The Europeans took the
lead just five minutes later after a fine passing move down the
right flank, Richard Sukuta-Pasu converting a low cross to hand his
side a 2-1 half-time lead.
The Germans extended their advantage with a similar move
shortly after the restart, Toni Kroos supplying a perfect cross for
Dowidat to poke him his second of the game on 49 minutes. However,
the Colombians responded magnificently and Cristian Nazarith pulled
one back from a 66th-minute penalty, before the same player made
the final score 3-3 with a long-range thunderbolt three minutes
from time.
