Cabral cannot wait for semi-finals

Three of the last four UEFA European Under-17 Championship winners are into the semi-finals but Netherlands attacker Jerson Cabral is keen his nation trump that trio, starting with holders Spain in the semi-finals.

Progress
The Netherlands reached the last four with a 2-0 defeat of Scotland last night, finishing Group A runners-up behind Turkey. Feyenoord striker Cabral, who qualifies for this age group by just three days, is thrilled. "It's really great, it's my first time in a European Championship, and it's great to say that now we are in the semi-finals so I am very happy," he said.

Nervous wait
Although after Geoffrey Castillion and Ricardo van Rhijn scored either side of half-time the three points at the Mardan Sport Complex looked secure, the Netherlands still needed Turkey to avoid a defeat against Serbia at the nearby World of Wonders Football Centre that would have wrecked the Dutch dreams. Luckily for Cabral, the hosts held on for a 0-0 draw finally confirmed shortly after full-time in the Netherlands' game, though the wait seemed longer to the players.

'Quaking'
"We didn't know what was happening so we were quaking in those three minutes until we knew we were in the semi-finals," Cabral said, before reflecting further on the match that preceded those nervous moments. "It was tough, because Scotland wanted to win too. We fought for this victory."

Castillion ability
Things looked not too good for the Netherlands when they lost their opening game 3-0 to Turkey but a Castillion goal defeated Serbia three days later and the AFC Ajax forward scored one and made the other yesterday - in the process equalling Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Collin John's record of ten Netherlands U17 goals. "Geoffrey is a killer," Cabral said. "One chance and it's a goal, you saw it today."

Confidence
Mind you, Cabral is not displeased with everybody's overall display. "I played in the starting lineup, we were given some tasks and we did what was expected of us," he said. "We have a good team, so I am confident we can get to the final."