| URUGUAY VS. GREECE |
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| The winner of this match would go on to play Switzerland in a Grand-Final qualifier, while the loser would play the winner of Jamaica Vs Ukraine in an elimination match. Uruguay had qualified higher than Greece, but Greece still had to be favourites considering their class and experience at this level. The parochial Montevideo fans gave Greece a stormy reception, but were silenced after 18 minutes. Martin Denyer dropped deep to receive the ball in midfield, and released Giorgis Fatasskiss down the left wing with an inch perfect through-ball. The younger Fatasskiss brother had time to cut back into the box and finish calmly past ‘keeper Carlos Nicola. This seemed to stun the Uruguayans and the remainder of the first half was a fairly drab affair, with everything pointing to a comfortable 1 or 2 nil victory to Greece. However this wasn’t to be, as the fans were treated to an open, evenly contested 2nd half. 9 minutes after the break a long ball aimed at Maximiliano Silvaira was not cleared by Greece, and in a goalmouth scramble Silvaira was able to force the ball home from 6 yards. The Fatasskiss brothers combined in the 62nd minute to give Greece back the lead- this time Giorgis was provider, cutting the ball back to the edge of the box where Fabio slammed home a trademark powerful drive. However, Uruguay would not give up. In the 73rd minute Alvaro Recoba made an incisive run down the left wing, and swung in a pinpoint cross that was powerfully headed home by Daniel Fonseca. With 5 minutes left the game looked headed for extra-time, but it was Arsenal who had the last say. Again Giorgis Fatasskiss was involved, this time crossing to the far post where the towering striker, unstoppable in the air, headed beyond Nicola. It had been a thrilling game, but Greece’s quality had prevailed. Uruguay 2 Greece 3 |