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 aQatari 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.
