U-20 WORLD CUP 2015 - SEMI-FINALS - 2nd match

U-20 WORLD CUP 2015
Semi-Finals
2nd match

Serbia vs Mali 2:1

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
 

Mali fared better against Serbia, forcing extra-time after coming back from an early goal to hold their opponents to a 1:1 draw after 90 minutes, but eventually falling 2:1.

Only four minutes were on the clock when Andrija Zivkovic burst through to open the scoring.

Having been on the back foot for the first half an hour Mali began to work their way back into the game and they drew level through a ferocious 30-yard strike from Youssouf Kone.

Serbia almost regained the lead when Milan Gajic struck a volley against the bar, but extra-time was needed to separate the teams.

And on 101 minutes substitute Ivan Saponjic nodded in to put his side 2:1 ahead.

Mali's hopes of a comeback took a blow when Kone received a second yellow card six minutes from time, and Serbia held on to book their place in the final.

A further sour note for Mali was the reaction of Kone, who looked to have pushed referee Mauro Vigliano following his second yellow. 

He was pulled away by team-mates and went behind the goalposts.

Mali coach Fanyeri Darra said after the game: 
"Until the end of the game we believed in our strength to win, but ... the inexperience of our players was the main point in our defeat."

Mali and Senegal will play in the third place play-off.