Hernandez fires Colombia into semis

PLAYMAKER Giovanni Hernandez sent Colombia into the Confederations Cup semi-finals in St. Etienne yesterday when he rifled home the winner in a 1-0 victory over Japan in Group A.

Colombia, who join group winners France in the last four, had needed all three points at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard to go through and seized them in the 68th minute when Hernandez pounced on a mix-up in the Japanese defence. Japan, who needed only a draw to qualify, leave the eight-nation tournament.

France crushed New Zealand 5-0 in the other group tie in Paris, while Colombia will now face the winners of Group B, currently led by Cameroon.