Others • Created October 31, 2009 23:40

Revived Gambians go home

Colombia came out asking all of the early questions in the first half, but were unable to carve out any real scoring chances. The Gambians roared back, though, after their slow start and took control of the game with a goal in the 19th minute. A tight-angle shot from captain Ebrima Bojang was dropped by […]

Revived Gambians go home
Revived Gambians go home

Colombia came out asking all of the early questions in the first half, but were unable to carve out any real scoring chances. The Gambians roared back, though, after their slow start and took control of the game with a goal in the 19th minute. A tight-angle shot from captain Ebrima Bojang was dropped by Cristian Bonilla and Lamin Sarjo Samateh followed up to slam the ball over the line, giving the scrambling Colombia net-minder a good gash on the head for his troubles.

The impressive Stiveen Mendoza tried a shot from distance in anger in the 34th minute, but it flew just wide of the post after having Baka Ceesay well beaten. The Colombians looked to be a in a state of shock, however, and they were two down before the half when Ebrima Bojang nodded home a free-kick from inside the area for his second goal of the finals.

The Colombians came out from the break looking to haul themselves back, but the Gambians were still in fighting mood. Samateh’s snapshot had Bonilla scrambling in the 53rd minute. And against the run of play, the Colombians finally got a goal back in the 78th minute. Gustavo Cuellar’s poor shot from the edge of the box took an almighty deflection and bobbled, almost apologetically, past Ceesay.

The Colombians were awarded a late penalty by Howard Webb with just seconds to go. The first kick was saved by Ceesay, but had to be re-taken after the keeper moved too early. Cuellar made no mistake with the second attempt, putting into the corner to make the score 2-2

The draw wasn’t enough for the Baby Scorpions, who now head for home. Iran finish top of the section and go through with second-place Colombia. The Netherlands are in third with three points and a faint glimmer of moving on.


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