FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Archives

Sillas’ late strike in vain as China beat Mexico in FIFA U-17 Women’s WC

MUMBAI: Mexico’s midfielder Katherina Guijarro Silas’ strike in the stoppage time went in vain as China sealed a comprehensive 2-1 victory to start their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign triumphant.

The highly-competitive Group C encounter between the two sides witnessed a goalless first half as both teams’ strikers tested opposition’s defences. Both goalkeepers, however, displayed remarkable grit as the scoreboard remained intact at 0-0.

Mexico’s Maribel Hernandez was rewarded with a penalty following a handball foul by Chinese defender, but failed to seize the opportunity as she hit the crossbar.

China’s Ruiqi Qiao then opened the scoring for her side as she successfully availed the awarded penaly in the 49th minute.

Yu Xingyue’s substitution in the 89th minute proved crucial for China as the midfielder, one minute in the field enhanced her side’s lead to 2-0.

Mexico’s midfielder Guijarro saved her side from a goalless defeat as she netted the ball in the stoppage time to reduce China’s lead to one.

Mexico then continued their expedition for the equalizer but the Chinese defence held their nerves calm to deny a draw as their goalkeeper blocked a couple of attempts and bolstered her side to an opening victory.

Meanwhile, the Group D fixture between Canada and France resulted in a 1-1 draw and the two teams shared a points each.

French striker Lucie Calba struck an equalizer in the 73rd minute – six minutes later Canada’s Annabelle Chukwu’s strike – as France held on for draw in their opening match.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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USA hammer India 8-0 on FIFA U-17 Women’s WC debut

BHUBANESHWAR: Hosts India were off to a dismal start to their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign as they went down 8-0 against the United States of America (USA) on Tuesday.

As hosts, India earned an automatic qualification in Group A and are one of three debutants in the event, along with Morocco and Tanzania (Group D).

Riley Jackson, the Golden Ball winner of the U-17 CONCACAF Championship led the attack for USA as she set up the opening two goals when Melina Rebimbas and Charlotte Kohler respectively converted her crosses.

The home side began to panic following an early attack launched by the strong American forwards and gaps began to emerge in their defence.

In the 26th minute, Onyeka Gamero snatched goalkeeper Anjali Munda’s pass to centre-back Purnima Kumari, who subsequently beat Anjali to make it 3-0.

Riley then passed the ball to Melina, who blasted it into the net with her second touch.

Minutes before half-time, Olivia Thompson entered the Indian box and took a well-calculated shot at near post and enhancing USA’s lead to 5-0.

USA captain Natalia Astrain then decided to test the bench strength of her side as she replaced Riley Jackson with Mia Bhuta in midfield.

Six minutes into the second half, Mia assisted Emri Ella to make it 6-0, while Taylor Suarez scored from the penalty spot to establish the record for the USA’s biggest win in tournament history.

Mia’s 62nd-minute strike then turned out to be a cherry on top for the USA when she buried the ball into the net with a left-footed curler from outside the box.

Meanwhile, India failed to net a single goal in the one-sided clash.

In the Group B match between Germany and Nigeria, the former came back from a goal down in the first half to win 2-1.

Four minutes into the second half, Svea Stoldt guided a corner strike as it sneaked through the Nigerian defence and neutralized the latter’s lead.

12 minutes later, Mara Alber then put her side into the lead that lasted till the final whistle and completed her side’s astounding comeback after a frustrating start.

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Brazil, Chile triumph on opening day of FIFA U17 Women’s WC

INDIA: Chile outclassed New Zealand 3-1 in the first Group B fixture of the recently-commenced FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, while Brazil downed Morocco 1-0 in the Group A fixture.

The opening match of Group B witnessed utter domination from Chile as Ambar Figueroa capitalized on a brilliant assist from Constanza Oliver in the 12th minute to get her side on the scoreboard.

A gruelling collision between the Kiwi goalkeeper and Oliver in the 22nd minute earned Chile a penalty and Tali Sima Rovner Yudelevich made the most of it as she successfully struck for her side and enhanced their lead to 2-0.

New Zealand also found a couple of chances to get the scoreboard moving in their favour but the side failed to utilize them and the scores remained intact at 2-0 in the first half.

However, the team had a change of fortune in the second half as Emily Clegg scored the goal just seven minutes into the second half, thanks to a corner assist from Helena Errington.

Chile then bounced back in the 64th minute and restored their lead after Anais San Juan netted after a long strike.

Meanwhile, in the Group A fixture, Brazil outclassed Morocco 1-0, courtesy of a brilliant strike from Ingrid Johnson in the fifth minute.

Chile and Brazil have attained the top spots in their respective groups following their victories.

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