Australia U-20s shock Brazil to advance

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Australia shocked Brazil Thursday, defeating the South Americans 3-2 in the World Youth Championship to top Group C and advance to the second round. European favorites Spain also advanced, defeating Uzbekistan 1-0.

First-half goals by Anthony Danze and a third by Spase Dilevski in the second-half gave the Aussies a commanding lead before Brazil scored twice in 11 minutes but failed to salvage a tie.

However, Canada's win over the Czechs meant the Brazilians advance as second of the group on four points.

The win was Australia's first over Brazil at any level of international youth football and set up a round-of-16 game Tuesday in Sharjah against one of the best third-place finishers from the group phase.

Danze scored in the 30th and 37th minute, and Dilevski added the third in 48th minute. Second-half substitute Juninho pulled one back for the Brazilians in the 75th minute, and midfielder Dudu made it 3-2 in the 86th minute.

"Brazil are the best in the world and we have never beaten them at this level, so obviously it is a great day for us," Australian coach Ange Postecoglou said. "We can still get better. In the last 20 minutes we lost our shape a little bit and let Brazil back into the game. At 3-0 up against Brazil, I think the boys got a little bit excited."

Spain dominated the Uzbeks early on, and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta scored a 15th minute goal that proved to be enough for the Spaniards to qualify as second of Group B.

Repeated attempts by Uzbekistan failed to put them level and it leaves the tournament after losing all three matches.

In a Group C match, the Czech Republic was ousted by newcomers Canada 1-0, thanks to a Iain Hume strike in the 80th minute from 10 yards (meters).

Nothing went right for the Czechs, as they missed a penalty, had central defender Petr Knakal sent off in the 63rd minute for picking up his second yellow card and dropped out of the tournament after finishing bottom in the group with two points following earlier draws against Australia and Brazil.

"It's a great thing to score in the world cup ... and obviously it is that bit more special to know the goal gives ourselves a good chance of going through" to the next round, Hume said.

In an earlier Group B match, Argentina kept its perfect record, beating Mali 3-1 on goals from Osmar Ferreyra in the 13th minute, German Herrera in the 26th and an own goal by Mali's Drissa Diakite in the 32nd. Argentina had already qualified to the second round ahead of the match.

Mali managed to get one back on a 48th-minute penalty converted by Mamadi Berthe after Argentine 'keeper Gustavo Eberto was red carded for tackling Bakary Coulibaly in the penalty area.

In the capital Abu Dhabi, Slovakia defeated Panama in a Group A match 1-0 on a goal by Viktor Pecovsky to reach the second round where it will play Brazil.

Earlier, Burkina Faso, which was assured of a second round place before Thursday's match against the UAE in the same group, drew 0-0 with the hosts.

The UAE must now wait until Friday to see if it qualifies as one of four best third-placed teams.

On Friday, Colombia plays England and Egypt faces Japan in Group D; Saudi Arabia meets the Ivory Coast and Ireland takes on Mexico in Group E; and Paraguay faces Germany and the United States plays South Korea in Group F.