Overview: The FIFA U-17 Women’s World CUP
- Dominican Republic vs. Ecuador: The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup began with Ecuador defeating the Dominican Republic 2-0, despite strong support for the host team. Valverde scored twice for Ecuador.
- Nigeria vs. New Zealand: Nigeria’s Flamingos delivered a dominant 4-1 win over New Zealand, with Taiwo Afolabi named Player of the Match. They lead Group A with three points.O
- ther Matches: Spain beat the USA 3-1 in Group B, while Korea Republic and Colombia drew 1-1. The tournament showcases competitive matches and promising young talent.
THE FIFA U-17 WOMEN’s WORLD CUP
The highly anticipated FIFA U-17 women’s world cup kicked off in spectacular style yesterday in the Dominican Republic.
The host nation kicked off the action in Group A at the CFC stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros with their early match against Ecuador. The stadium was filled with many supporters who were passionately cheering every pass, clearance and save made by the home country.
The U-17 Dominican Republic women’s team started the match with tenacity, resolve and pressure but their hopes were quickly downed by a well drilled Ecuadorian side.
Ecuador were able to quiet things early on when Mary Guerra shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jaylene Rondon but poked home by Valverde, who then doubled her tally later in the half by stabbing home an inch-perfect cross from Noemi Camacho.
Dominican Republic looked to gain a foothold in the second half and Renata Mercedes nearly pulled one back with a header. In the end, though, the night belonged to Ecuador, who emerged triumphant in the battle of U-17 Women’s World Cup first timers.
What They Said
“It is an honour to represent my country. I feel so proud for doing well for my team. I didn’t really expect to score two goals, but here we are and thank God it happened. It means a lot and it’s a great joy being part of this special Ecuador victory.”Jazlym Valverde, Ecuador striker
“The support from the crowd was insane! It was crazy and really helpful. Every cheer motivated all of us to keep working harder. There is so much pride (hearing the fans), we’ve never been in this situation before. It was amazing.”Jaylene Rondon, Dominican Republic goalkeeper.
- Nigeria steals the show
- New Zealand goals: Hannah Saxon (60)
- Nigeria goals: Shakirat Moshood (2), Khadijat Adegoke (13), Farihat Abdulwahab (28), Taiwo Afolabi (55)
Player of the Match: Taiwo Afolabi (Nigeria)
Our girls put on a five star display in a 4-1 win over New zealand that left the fans awed and elated. Our Nigerian Flamingos three on the score-board before the half-hour mark thanks to a Shakirat Moshood finish, a long-distance effort from Khadijat Adegoke that slipped through the hands of Brooke Neary and a right-footed rocket from Faridat Abdulwahab.
Nigeria’s No10 Taiwo Afolabi bossed the midfield all day and got a goal for herself early in the second half by rising high to spin home a header, before Hannah Saxon tallied a consolation to give the Young Football Ferns a positive end to the day.
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What They Said
“A goal is massive for us. It’s an awesome achievement from the team and especially for Hannah, she’ll remember that type of moment forever.”New Zealand head coach Alana Gunn
“It’s a good first game for us. We are taking them as they come, so a good game for us, scoring four goals and only conceding one, so not bad for our first game.”Nigeria head coach Bankole Olowookere
Group A table
- Nigeria, 3pts (+3)
- Ecuador, 3pts (+2)
- Dominican Republic, 0pt (-2)
- New Zealand, 0pt (-3)
Spain triumph over the USA
GROUP B
- Spain goals: Jocelyn Travers OG (3), Noa Ortega (70), Alba Cerrato (83)
- USA goals: Mel Barcenas (22)
Player of the Match: Irune Dorado (Spain)
Kenio Gonzalo’s side, with heavily-hyped No10 Pau Comendador sizzling, flew out of the blocks and were rewarded when Jocelyn Travers inadvertently turned the ball into her own net. USA’s equaliser was a beauty. After the Spaniards failed to fully clear a rapid counter-attack from which Kimmi Ascanio tested Laia Lopez’s hands, Mel Barcenas thrashed it into the roof of the net.
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Noa Ortega did well to get the go-ahead goal, but it was indebted to Comendador. The Real Madrid starlet’s sensational effort from way out came back off the crossbar, and the alert No7 stabbed it home.
What They Said
“The senior team showed us that playing in a World Cup is a big thing, the biggest thing in terms of level. We’d put a lot of work into this match, we’d studied them a lot, and the hard work paid off in the end.”Pau Comendador, Spain captain
“Everyone played a big part tonight, and we gave it all. That’s really what you can ask for. Spain gave us a great game and a different challenge. All focus goes towards Colombia now. We’ll regroup and try to dominate the ball. We have lost the first game but we have to go with a resilient mindset.”
- Melanie Barcenas, USA midfielder
- Korea Republic 1-1 Colombia
- Korea Republic goal: Casey Phair (36)
- Colombia goal: Ella Martinez (28)
Player of the Match: Ella Martinez (Colombia)
Korea Republic, 2010 champions, were held to a 1-1 draw by Colombia in their opening Group B encounter. The Asian nation dominated the early exchanges, but it was Colombia that struck first as a Lena Tusche cross from the right was met by Ella Martinez who swept home across keeper Woo Sumin just shy of the hour.
Casey Phair, the youngest player – either male or female – to feature at a senior World Cup is one of the headline attractions at the tournament and it was the Korea forward who drew her nation level, converting from the spot after Han Gukhee was brought down in the box.
Both nations went in search of a second half winner, with Colombia coming the closest through substitute Eliesther Santos late on.
What They Said
“To get points in a tournament like this is really proud for me, but I think we still got really good chances. I think it’s only up from here, and that we have two more games.“Casey Phair, Korea Republic forward
“We are happy to have earned a point, we knew it was going to be tough against this opponent, as it will be against everyone in this group. We need to keep working, keep fighting in the next match against the United States.”Luisa Agudelo, Colombia’s goalkeeper
This competition has kicked off in style and promises to be exciting and entertaining. You can get more news and stories about the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s world cup from the official FIFA website.
