Kiwis make history

Results Gambia 2-2 ColombiaNetherlands 0-1 IranBurkina Faso 4-1 Costa RicaNew Zealand 1-1 Turkey The Kiwis defied all expectations by snatching a late, late equaliser against Turkey to progress to the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides, the first time they have gone so far in a FIFA competition.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Results

Gambia 2-2 Colombia
Netherlands 0-1 Iran
Burkina Faso 4-1 Costa Rica
New Zealand 1-1 Turkey

The Kiwis defied all expectations by snatching a late, late equaliser against Turkey to progress to the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides, the first time they have gone so far in a FIFA competition.

Despite the dropped points the Turks still topped Group D ahead of Burkina Faso, who put four past Costa Rica, their highest ever tally in 16 matches at FIFA competitions.

Over in Enugu Iran sprang something of a surprise when they disposed of the Netherlands to run out winners of Group C, a landmark achievement in the history of Iranian football.

In doing so the Asia representatives left the Oranje in a delicate position. With three points to their name and a goal difference of -1, exactly the same record as Brazil in Group B, the European runners-up now have to wait and see if they can squeeze through from third place.

Finishing second in the section were Colombia, who left it late before pinching a draw against Gambia.

Burkina Faso showed their star quality when the aptly named Zidane Zoungrana slotted their first goal of the evening against Costa Rica.

Also on the scoresheet for the surprising Burkinabe was 14-year-old Bertrand Traore, the youngest player at the tournament.

Ends