China, Spain and Japan set the tone for the U-17 Women's World Cup in India
By Samindra Kunti in Bombay
October 14 - China and Spain have taken command of Group C of the U-17 Women's World Cup after narrow opening day victories over rivals Mexico and Colombia.
As a drizzle descended on Navi Mumbai, thousands of school children from nearby government schools were ferried out by bus to cheer on the Group C team at the sprawling DY Patil Stadium, a cricket ground converted into a football ground on a university campus. The anticipated kick-off between China and Mexico was later delayed by ten minutes due to bad weather.
In a tale of two penalties and late drama, China prevailed 2-1. Just after the half hour mark, winger Maribel Flores, who plies her trade at LAFC Slammers in the United States, pulverized a penalty against the bar following a handball into the Chinese penalty area.
One of four USA-based players in the Mexican squad, Flores along with Chelsea's Tatiana Flores played on the front foot and dominated possession against the organized Chinese.
But the Asians took the lead in the 48th minute when captain Ruiqi Qiao converted a penalty. Mexico didn't respond much, but in a grandstand finish China extended their lead when Qiao was at the end of a quick counter before Katherin Sillas cut the deficit from a tight angle. For Mexico, who had been the better team, it was too little too late.
In the second game of Group C, Spain and Colombia partially disappointed. While creating more chances than China and Mexico, play in the final third was often messy and lacked precision.
After a box-to-box first half, Vicky Lopez's goal for the Europeans was ruled out after handling the ball in the 59th minute, but the Spaniards got the winning goal through Jone Amezaga who slalomed through the Colombian defense in the last minutes of the match.
In the day's other matches, Canada held France to a 1-1 draw while Japan beat Tanzania 4-0.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1665809411labto1665809411ofdlr1665809411owedi1665809411sni@i1665809411tnuk.1665809411ardni1665809411mas1665809411
By Samindra Kunti in Bombay
October 14 - China and Spain have taken command of Group C of the U-17 Women's World Cup after narrow opening day victories over rivals Mexico and Colombia.
As a drizzle descended on Navi Mumbai, thousands of school children from nearby government schools were ferried out by bus to cheer on the Group C team at the sprawling DY Patil Stadium, a cricket ground converted into a football ground on a university campus. The anticipated kick-off between China and Mexico was later delayed by ten minutes due to bad weather.
In a tale of two penalties and late drama, China prevailed 2-1. Just after the half hour mark, winger Maribel Flores, who plies her trade at LAFC Slammers in the United States, pulverized a penalty against the bar following a handball into the Chinese penalty area.
One of four USA-based players in the Mexican squad, Flores along with Chelsea's Tatiana Flores played on the front foot and dominated possession against the organized Chinese.
But the Asians took the lead in the 48th minute when captain Ruiqi Qiao converted a penalty. Mexico didn't respond much, but in a grandstand finish China extended their lead when Qiao was at the end of a quick counter before Katherin Sillas cut the deficit from a tight angle. For Mexico, who had been the better team, it was too little too late.
In the second game of Group C, Spain and Colombia partially disappointed. While creating more chances than China and Mexico, play in the final third was often messy and lacked precision.
After a box-to-box first half, Vicky Lopez's goal for the Europeans was ruled out after handling the ball in the 59th minute, but the Spaniards got the winning goal through Jone Amezaga who slalomed through the Colombian defense in the last minutes of the match.
In the day's other matches, Canada held France to a 1-1 draw while Japan beat Tanzania 4-0.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1665809411labto1665809411ofdlr1665809411owedi1665809411sni@i1665809411tnuk.1665809411ardni1665809411mas1665809411
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