Gambia, Congo reach U-20 last 16

Gambia and Congo dramatically beat Portugal and hosts Canada 2-1 and 2-0 respectively to book their places in the last 16.

They join Nigeria and Zambia who secured their second round place last Saturday.

The Gambian side surprised a significantly changed but favoured Portugal in despite playing for the last half hour with 10 men.

It all seemed so unlikely in the opening stages of the match when Congo-born defensive midfielder Feliciano Condesso headed the Iberians ahead past the wildly charging Gambian goalkeeper in the 20th minute.

However, the Baby Scorpions looked consistently dangerous going forward and they evened the match just before the break amid howls of Portuguese displeasure.

Ous Jallow calmly side-footed a penalty past the right-guessing goalkeeper.

Gambia suffered a blow just before the hour mark when Ken Jammeh was sent off for an unruly studs-up challenge on Andre Maques which ended the Portuguese's match and possibly tournament.

But the Baby Scorpions rallied and grabbed the winner through substitute Abdoulie Mansally in the 68th minute when he curled in a free-kick from the right side that missed everyone's head and snuck in at the far post.

Earlier in the day, Congo needed a win to over hosts Canada move on, and

They got the all-important opening goal just before the half hour mark when Gracia Ikouma deftly headed down a cross to Ermejea Ngakosso, who volleyed it in off his knee.

The small but vocal Congolese contingent celebrated wildly, and they doubled their pleasure as Gracia Ikouma beat two defenders and finished well on the hour mark.

Congo now advance to the last 16 to meet Mexico on Thursday while Nigeria face Zambia. Gambia will take on Austria on Wednesday.

Round of 16 Paiing:

11/07/07: Austria v Gambia
11/07/07: USA v Uruguay
11/07/07: Spain v Brazil
11/07/07: Japan v Czech Republic

12/07/07: Chile v Portugal
12/07/07: Zambia v Nigeria
12/07/07: Argentina v Poland
12/07/07: Mexico v Congo