The group stages of the FIFA U17 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CUP has been concluded with 36 matches played in six groups having 157 goals scored before an unimpressive 9,370 fans which is an average of 260 attendance per match far less than an attendance of street football in Surulere, Lagos State of Nigeria.
Four of five African representatives namely hosts Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya are still in the race for the trophy except Zambia that has been sent out.
Six teams were high scoring starting with Yankee Babes of USA that banged in 25 goals 17 of which was scored in a single match against Samora; defending champions, North Korea and China scored 13 goals each; Brazil scored 12 while Japan and Poland scored 9 goals each.
Samora whose Goalkeeper Susahna Lilian Peacock incidentally had the highest saves of 38 (imagine if the 38 goals were scored plus 28 goals scored conceded equals 66 or so) Samora would have been recommended for a life ban. Puerto Rico conceded 14 and Canada 10 while Morocco, Kenya and Zambia conceded 9 each.
Maddie Dimaria of USA is still the highest individual goal scorer with 11 goals, Diz Mercedes of Argentina scored 6; Yu Jong-Hyang of North Korea 5 and her team mate Kim Won-Sim scored 4. There were two own goals from Eden Chaytor of Australia against Morocco and Grace Phiri of Zambia against Japan.
Watch out for these seven players who had the highest shots at goal in the round of 16 games namely Yu Hong-Hyang of North Korea who had 23; Maddie Dimaria of USA 19; Diz Mercedes of Argentina 17; Lindey Atieno of Kenya 17; Kim Won-Sim of North Korea 15 as well as Ri Ui-Guong of North Korea and Brenda Achieng of Kenya who each had 14 shots at goal.
Three ‘bad girls’ players that were red carded showed up at the group stages namely Oriana Bralo of Argentina; Emmies Butler of New Zealand and Valeria Rebaneles of Venezuela.
Only 16 teams are still standing of the 48 that qualified for the tournament. Here are the 16 teams and round of 16 fixtures:
1 Nkor vs Mor @4pm Wednesday
2 Ger vs Ven @4pm Wednesday
3 Arg vs Gha @7pm Wednesday
4 Bra vs Pol @7pm Wednesday
5 China vs Fra @4pm Thursday
6 Ngr vs Mex @4pm Thursday
7 Jap vs Ken @7pm Thursday
8 Spa vs USA @7pm Thursda.
All the four quarterfinal matches shall be played on Sunday 1st November. All two semifinal matches shall be played on Wednesday 4th November while both the 3rd place match and the grand finale will be decided on Saturday 7th November.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#FIFA #FIFAU17FWC #AFC
#CAF #CONCACAF #CONMEBOL
#EUFA #NFF.
