Brazil beats Slovakia in World Youth Cup
Brazil scraped through to the quarterfinals of the World Youth Championship with a hard fought 2-1 win over Slovakia following dangerous midfielder Dudu's golden goal in extra-time.
Dudu, who also scored Brazil's equaliser in the second-half after Slovakian substitute Filip Sebo put his side 1-0 up in the 61st minute, guaranteed the pre-tournament favourites a quarterfinal match against Japan in Dubai on Friday with his 94th minute golden goal.
Slovakia went into extra-time with just 10 men after second-half substitute Kamil Kopunek was red carded in the 92nd minute following a clash with Brazil's Juninho, which left the Brazilian sprawled on the Sharjah Stadium turf.
Brazil and Slovakia took few risks during the scoreless first-half, which was marked by tight defence and a handful of scoring opportunities.
But both sides threw away the cautious brands of football they were playing in the second half and launched repeated attacks on goal.
Slovakian coach Peter Polak made an inspired second-half substitution, bringing on Inter Bratislava striker Sebo who scored four minutes after entering the game off an Igor Zofcak corner kick.
But Dudu, who plays with Brazilian side Vitoria, equalised for the South Americans in the 83rd minute with a fine strike from the edge of the Slovakian penalty area, ensuring the game played before a crowd of about 10,000 people had to be decided by a golden goal.
His winner came from a mix-up in front of the Slovakian goal, and sent his teammates into wild celebrations.
Brazilian striker Kleber missed two golden scoring opportunities eight minutes into the second-half, failing to get a boot on the ball after it spilled out of Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Kostolani's grasp and seconds later blasting the ball from close-range into the outside of the net.
Referee Gonzales booked Brazil's Dudu and Kleber in the second half for diving in the Slovakian penalty area in bids to win penalties.
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