Tim Weah, photo by AP
Tim Weah, son of Liberia President and former FIFA Player of the Year George Weah, has continued his unassailable ascent in United States soccer with his exploits in the ongoing Under-20 World Cup holding in Poland.
Weah, sharp and quick on and off the ball, scored in the 76th minute to help the United States beat Qatar 1-0 Thursday at Tychy, Poland, to advance to the round of 16 at the Under-20 World Cup.
The U.S. (2-1) finished second in Group D and will play the Group E winner, France or Mali, on Tuesday in Bydgoszcz. American midfielders Alex Mendez and Chris Durkin will be suspended for the match because of yellow-card accumulation. The U.S. moved past the group stage for the 11th time in 14 appearances.
Weah, the son of Liberia President and former FIFA Player of the Year George Weah, ran onto a pass from Mendez at the top of the penalty area, used his right foot to poke the ball through the legs of Qatar captain Ahmed Suhail, then beat goalkeeper Shehab Mamdouh with a right-footed shot from 14 yards.
Brandon Servania was pulled down by Ahmed Alminhali in the 80th minute, but Mandouh dived to his right and batted away Mendez’s penalty kick.
Richard Ledezma hit the crossbar from 18 yards in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Ukraine won the group with two wins and a draw after tying Nigeria 1-1 Thursday and will play a third-place team in the round of 16. Nigeria is assured of advancing as a third-place team.
