Colombia have started strongly in their quest to reach the knockout stage for a third consecutive U-20 FIFA World Cup, taking down Qatar 1-0 in Hamilton this afternoon.
After finishing third in 2011 and reaching the round of 16 in 2013, Colombia looked promising in a comfortable win over a Qatari side who could only muster 41 percent possession and two shots on target throughout the contest.
Colombia went ahead through Joao Rodriguez in the 24th minute after a long ball forward was flicked on by Borre Santos into the onrushing path of Rodriguez. The Chelsea youth player took a touch into the penalty area and struck his shot through the legs of Qatari custodian Yousof Hassan to give Colombia a deserved lead.
The South Americans' first half dominance was telling, with it taking Qatar until the last minute of the first half to create their first chance, a shot which sailed wide of Colombian keeper Alavaro Montero's goal.
However, Montero was a much busier netminder to begin the second spell, with Qatar stringing together some smooth interplay to create two chances in quick succession. Despite some gilt-edged chances to tie the encounter, they lacked quality finishing, with Ahmed Alsadi especially culpable after tamely firing an excellent opportunity straight at Montero.
