22nd ANC 2007 Day 6 Report
In the first match, Scotland convincingly disposed of Holland by 4 goals to nil and thus qualified in first in Group 1, without having conceded a goal in their three matches. Holland needed a sizeable win and then hope that the other match ended in a draw but two goals before half-time dashed any hope they had. Greechan scored twice for the winners.
In the next match, both sides were genuinely in with a chance of making the Quarter-finals. Chile needed a win to top the group and Romania needed a win to ensure second place. Chile took a 14th minute lead through Nilo, but Romania was never daunted by the challenge and they created a number of chances. It took a particularly good save from Morales in the Chile goal to keep his side in the lead.
Chile over elaborated in front of goal and paid the penalty when Vlad Vasilcicec equalised in the 59th minute, but it proved too little too late for the Romanians. The draw left Chile in second place in their group behind Poland.
The third game saw the competitions high scorers, Serbia and Macedonia square off for top spot in Group 4. Serbia spurned a number of chances in the first half and would have felt they should have done better than go in at 0-0. The deadlock was broken in the 46th minute when Gordan Mrdic scored from the penalty spot. Bogdanovic doubled the lead in the 61st minute but Macedonia made them fight all the way when Ristecko pulled one back with five minutes to go.
The last game of the day was a true do or die affair. Bosnia needed a draw and Albania a win to ease into second spot in Group 1. Albania got the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute. Ibraimi made no mistake from the spot. Three minutes later and it was a penalty at the other end, from which Skenderovic equalised. The scores remained level until Bosnia was reduced to 10 men after a second yellow card, but as Albania pushed forward they left space at the back and Husmanovic took advantage to give Bosnia what looked like an impregnable position in the 64th minute. However, two minutes later Albania gave itself another glimmer of hope when Rexhepi headed home. Bosnia held on to secure the second position.
Next weekend the Quarter-finals will be held. On Saturday at 12.00 Scotland plays Australia and at 2.00 Mauritius plays Bosnia. On Sunday, at 1.00 Poland squares off against Macedonia, whilst at 3.00 Serbia faces Chile.
The Semi finals will be held on Sunday 2nd December and the Final on Sunday 9th December. |
