USA Draws with Japan in FIFA U-17

The under-17 World Cup in the United States hopes seems to be in serious danger of fading just at the group stage. The Baby Yanks of Raphael Wicky have only 1 point after 2 matches followed by a 0-0 draw in Cariacica of Brazil with Japan as Chituru Odunze, the goalkeeper of Leicester saving the point with an incredible late save.

This point will keep the USA team above the Netherlands. A win will be sufficient for the USA to secure the third-place in the knockout round. At present, Senegal is 2-0 after defeating Dutch who was beaten by Japan.

Wicky, the ex-Basel manager had been surprised several people when he had left Giovanni Reyna, the star of Borussia Dortmund on the bench during the first hour.  Gianluca Busio tried showing the first half flashes. However, it might have been too much to light up the boring first half for both sides.

Ricardo Pepi had managed to get the ball in the net while he had been on the spot for the rebound but the sheepish reaction by him bet the flag of the linemen for announcing the offside. He had come off during the 55th minute for Giovanni Reyna. This had been a surprising scratch from this starting eleven.

Every action in the first half belonged to Baby Yanks. However, Japan came around in order to gain a hold on the match. Even with significant effort, Jun Nishikawa missed the bar. However, he turned and then fired to miss again near the post with Japan threatening to take away all 3 points.

On the 72nd minute, Reyna tried catching the keeper offline but his long free-kick sailed over the crossbar. Thereafter the USA had to bail out as Odunze close-range save in the 74th minute and another incredible save in stoppage time.