FIFA website
November 28

A goal in the last minute by Bakary Coulibaly brought Mali their first success in the FIFA Youth World Championship UAE 2003. The African's opening Group B clash against Uzbekistan in Sharjah ended 3-2 and puts them in an excellent position prior to their second match against Spain. Viktor Borisov's charges, meanwhile, must pick themselves up before facing Argentina.

The Africans dominated in the first few minutes, rapidly closing down space all over the park thanks to their well-known physical prowess. Defensive errors on the part of the Uzbeks were quick to follow and if Mali had succeeded in taking full advantage, the game could have been all over after 10 minutes.

The very first incursion by Mamadou Coulibaly's boys into Uzbek territory brought the first goal celebrations of the night, when the tamest of crosses somehow slipped from Ignatiy Nesterov's hands. Drissa Diarra could hardly believe his luck as the ball dropped to his feet and he had all the time in the world to slot home. (0-1; 4')

The Uzbek keeper kept his nerve however, and made up for his mistake minutes later by blocking two chances in quick succession from Mamadi Berthe and Bakary Coulibaly.

Viktor Borisov's side were looking to Ilyas Zeytulayev for inspiration, and it was not long in coming. A deft back heel from the number 10 put Marat Bikmoev through, and when he was brought to the floor in the box, a penalty was the only option. Soumalia Dakite parried Alexander Geynrikh's spot kick to the right, but Islam Innomov was quickest off the blocks to the rebound and tied the game (1-1; 17').

With the scores back level, the Uzbek debutants took the upper hand and could well have gone ahead on the back of some darting runs by Mansurjon Saidov. Mali keeper Diakite was having an inspired evening though, much to the Asians' frustration.

The history of the first half was to repeat itself as Mali struck again just after the break. This time it was a bolt from the blue in the shape of a spectacular long-range shot from Berthe that left the whole stadium stunned (1-2; 52').

Uzbekistan chased the game thereafter but lacked firepower up front. Some well-worked moves only met with the wall of Diakite, who was clearly out to impress. Finally though, the persistence of Borisov's side paid off. Geynrikh ghosted into the box and, while the African defence dithered, levelled the match (2-2; 63'). The CSKA Moscow striker could even have doubled his tally just minutes later, but that man Diakite was there to defy him once more, albeit at the second attempt.

As the minutes ticked by and legs grew weary, it looked as though the score would remain unchanged but lack of experience was to prove to be the Asian side's downfall. They failed to stay tight in defence and allowed Coulibaly to float unaccompanied into the area where he rose above Nesterov to head home a ball pumped in from deep (2-3; 90).

The final whistle signalled the start of the party for the African fans, while Uzbekistan's followers could only file away in silence. All is not won or lost though, and both sides have a long way to go yet.

---