Under 17 World Cup: Lincoln, Paulinho at it again for clinical Brazil

KOCHI: "Ordem e Progresso" (Order and progress), reads the motto on the national flag of Brazil. A disciplined and stylish Brazilian U-17 team has been following the motto to the hilt as they notched up their second win of the tournament, beating North Korea 2-0 here at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi on Tuesday. With this win, Brazil are almost assured of their berth in the pre-quarterfinals from Group D, after having overcome Spain in their first match of the tournament on Saturday.
Lincoln, Paulinho and Brenner combined well up front again with Lincoln (56) and Paulinho (61) getting their names on the scoresheet for the second time in as many matches.The midfield generals, Marcos Antonio and Alan De Souza, once again gave a good account of themselves as the two ensured a regular supply of balls to the Brazilian forwards.
Brazil had done their homework well and they showed their attacking instinct very early. In the very second minute, Lincoln who scored Brazil’s first goal against Spain, tested North Korean goalkeeper Sin Tae Song’s skills with a strong shot. Minutes later, Paulinho too had a go at the goal but his shot missed the target by inches. Except Kim Hwi Hwang’s attempt on goal after receiving a long pass from Kim Kyong Sok through right wing, North Korean forwards had nothing much to do in the early phase of the game as Brazilian defenders held their fort. The Korean defence managed to keep the Brazilian strikers at bay in the first half and the two teams went into the break goalless.
Brazil shifted gears in the second half and Brenner’s long ranger in the 51st minute could have given them the lead but North Korean goalie Song came to the team’s rescue. But North Korea’s relief was short-lived. In the 56th minute, Weverson’s free-kick hit the North Korean wall but the ball ballooned in the air and Lincoln rose above the onrushing North Korean goalkeeper and a defender to head the ball into the net to put Brazil 1-0 up.
Brazil were not willing to sit back on a one-goal advantage. And they were rewarded five minutes later with Paulinho scoring his second goal of the tournament. Though Paulinho has been credited with the goal, the real mastermind of it was Brenner. The attacking midfielder gave a near-perfect cross from the right wing splitting the North Korean defence and all Paulinho had to do was to slot it into the net.
North Korean skipper Yun Min had a chance to reduce the margin in the 80th minute but a diving Brazilian goalie Gabriel Brazao averted the danger. Kim Pom Hyok, who substituted Kwon Nam Hyok in the 58th minute of the game, had an open chance in the 84th minute but Brazao stood firm pulling off another good save.