It's Africa vs South America final

BUENOS AIRES, JULY 2. African contenders Egypt and Ghana booked their places alongside South Americans Argentina and Paraguay in the semifinals of the World youth championships on a bad day for the Europeans here on Sunday.

Egypt scored a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, while Ghana joined its continental cousin in more dramatic style with a late show, and golden goal, required to see it past Brazil 2-1.

Earlier, France's hopes of emulating its World Cup- winning seniors came to an abrupt end when a Javier Saviola hat- trick handed Argentina a 3-1 win.

The Czech Republic was also sent packing after a depleted Paraguay held on to a 1-0 lead to book its place in the July 4 Semifinals.

Egypt is now scheduled to meet Ghana with Argentina poised to meet Paraguay for what will be an African-South American final.

Egypt replied to a Netherlands opener through Rafael van der Vaart in the 32nd minute through defender Hussein Amin in the first minute following the interval. Pharaohs striker Mohamed el Yamany then scored his third goal of the tournament so far when he increased the lead to 2-1 in the 66th minute.

If Egypt managed to hold on to its slim lead, Ghana moved into the last four in more dramatic fashion as a golden goal in the third minute of extra time sent Brazil packing for the short journey home. The result will be a double blow for the country formerly regarded as the world giant in the beautiful game following the Brazil senior squad's 1-0 defeat to World Cup 2002 group qualifying opponent Uruguay.

Ghana, meanwhile, will be celebrating after John Mensah fired home to put it ahead shortly after the match had been forced into extra time.

Abdul Ibrahim had performed his own late show only minutes earlier with an 80th minute equaliser to cancel an Adriano goal on the stroke of half time. Earlier France followed the Czech Republic out of the under-20 competition with a fine individual display from River Plate winger Saviola largely to blame.

Saviola, who is on the verge of moving to Spanish side Barcelona, fired three goals to cancel Auxerre defender Philippe Mexes' solitary match goal for France. In the fifth minute Saviola outmanoeuvered Mexes and fellow defender Gael Givet to fire home past Nicolas Penneteau.

France replied when midfielder Gael Danic's long free kick in the 44th minute found Mexes unmarked in front of the Argentine goal, allowing him to fire home easily.

A minute later France goalkeeper Penneteau was penalised for holding onto Argentine forward Esteban Herrera and Saviola stepped up to fire past the unfortunate Bastia 'keeper for his second on a penalty.

After the interval Argentina stepped up its campaign to prevent France from playing.

Saviola, with the help of club team-mate Andres D'Alessandro, threatened on numerous occasions before ending French hopes after a pass from the latter in the 88th minute.

Paraguay booked its place in the last four for the first time in less convincing fashion, with the game's only goal coming courtesy of Santiago Salcedo in the 32nd minute.

Paraguay's win is all the more impressive since it was without centre-forward Julio Gonzalez who was red-carded for punching Czech captian and defender Tomas Hubschman.

Five minutes after his frustrated outburst, Paraguay was celebrating when a freekick sailed in to allow Salcedo to fire home a free header.

- AFP

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