Guwahati: European powerhouse France (Les Bleuets) rallied from a goal down to thrash Honduras 5-1 in their final Group E match thus qualifying for the knock-out stage as group toppers in the FIFA U-17 World Cup here Saturday at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. In another match of the same group played at Kolkata, Japan in spite of being held to a 1-1 draw by debutants New Caledonia also advanced to the knock-outs by virtue of finishing second in the group.
Despite the loss Honduras also qualified for the pre-quarters as one of the four best third-placed teams finishing the group with three points.
Honduras took lead in the 10th minute through Carlos Mejia. France scored through Wilson Isidor (14th), Alexis Flips (23rd and 64th), Amine Gouiri (86th) and Yacine Adli (90+6) to carve out an emphatic triumph. The French players after conceding the goal, tightened up their game considerably. With five goals from three matches Gouiri emerged as the top scorer of the tournament so far.
In the Japan-New Caledonia game Keito Nakamura (seventh) scored for Japan whereas Jekob Jeno (83rd) equalised for New Caledonia. It was a historic first point for the debutants.
Press trust of India
