Elite 16 finalised amid drama

Elite 16 finalised amid drama
(FIFA.com) Sunday 1 November 2009
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THE DAY REPLAYED - The final day of group fixtures at Nigeria 2009 concluded with four teams confirming their ongoing participation at the tournament. USA and United Arab Emirates entered the final day of Group E action locked together on three points, safe in the knowledge that the winner of their match-up would claim a berth in the knockout stage. A workmanlike USA secured a 1-0 win, only for the UAE team to also progress by the slimmest margin imaginable. The Asian side reach the knockout stage for the first time at this level, finishing ahead of other third-place teams by virtue of the Fair-Play ranking after all other criteria was equal.

Things were far less complicated for group leaders Spain who maintained their 100 per cent record by easing past Malawi. The European heavyweights claimed a comfortable 4-1 win over the tournament debutants.

In Group F, Korea Republic claimed their top-16 status with a controlled 2-0 win against a disappointed Algeria, who go home without a goal or a point. Meanwhile in Kano, group winners Italy ground out a scoreless draw with Uruguay, with the point enough to guarantee the South Americans' progression.

The day's results brought heartbreak for both the Netherlands and three-time winners Brazil, who were eliminated in agonising circumstances. The pair are the unlucky third-place teams to miss out after being level with United Arab Emirates on points, goal difference and goals scored, only to be knocked out by virtue of a single extra caution in the Fair-Play countback. Germany and New Zealand are the other two third-place teams to progress.