Floodlight Failure Disrupts U-17 World Cup Match Between Spain And USA

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup Group E match between Spain and the USA at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Monday night was disrupted twice due to floodlight failure.

Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai was forced to first halt proceedings for about five minutes around the 52nd minute of the encounter when one of the floodlights went off. He was forced to do so again in the 65th minute when the lights at the other end of the pitch failed.

Besides these stoppages, this game, watched by an impressive crowd of 19,500 fans, produced several highlights.

Spanish defender Sergei Gomez was sent off in the second minute and just moments later the USA took the lead through leading scorer Jack McInerney.

The USA's lead did not last long though as Spain hit back in the 22nd minute through Borja and on the half hour mark, Pablo Sarabia notched the match winner for the Spaniards.

Courtesy of their 2-0 win over Malawi earlier Monday, United Arab Emirates top Group E, while Spain are second in the standings.

In Group F, Algeria lost 1-0 to Italy to complete a miserable opening round of matches for African teams at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Save for hosts Nigeria, who salvaged a point against Germany, Africa's four other representatives have thus far lost their opening matches at this championship.

Italy's winner was netted by Fredico Carraro in the 78th minute and Algeria, who are making their debut in this competition, must blame poor finishing for this loss as they created several chances but could not put away any of them.

South Korea lead this group based in Kaduna after their 3-1 victory over Uruguay, also on Monday.

Samm Audu, Goal.com