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07.06.2015 Football News

​Mali Book Round Of 16 Place

07.06.2015 LISTEN
By El-Amisty Nobo/sports24gh.com

Mali has qualified to the Round of 16 phase of the ongoing FIFA U-20 tournament in New Zealand after a 1-1 drawn game with South American side Uruguay.

Uruguay took the lead in the 17th minute through when an unmarked Franco Acosta took advantage of Ramiro Guerro's looping header to intelligently slot in the ball despite having his back to the goal.

The Malians should have pulled parity on a couple of occasions, but Uruguay's goalie, Gaston Guruceaga stood between his side and goal.

The impressive Guruceaga committed an unpardonable error late in the half when he handled a back-pass. Adama Traore scored from the resulting free kick with a powerful curler from 16 yards to put Mali on level.

The draw left the two sides facing the drawing of lots to determine which of the two sides finish second in Group D as both sides had finished with identical points and goal tallies after three matches played each.

The drawing of lots witnessed by both teams left Uruguay in second place and Mali in third, but nonetheless Mali have advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition.

Follow James on twitter @sports24gh

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