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Canada hit back while Aussies wait on results. - Group A & B wrap - U/19 Womens Championships
Canada proved why they are one of the favourites to take the title overnight, as they came from a three goal deficit to tie Germany, another favourite for the competition. Meanwhile Australia did their job in attempting to secure a final 8 place however will be waiting on results to come in from the USA Vs. Spain match tonight to determine if they will progress.
Germany looked like nothing could stop them in their top of the table clash against Canada when Patricia Hanebeck opened scoring in just the 4th minute. Her volley off a German set-piece was superb. This lead was quickly doubled as Anja Mittag tucked home a sitter on 10 minutes. Then, with just 37 minutes on the board Mittag netted again leaving Canada with a mountain to climb.
But climb it they did as Kara Lang quickly responded with a 27 yard bullet to score in the 40th minute. Just two minutes later Veronique Maranda also put the ball in the net for Canada as she too launched from distance. Suddenly, within a five minute space, the mountain looked like a mole hill.
Brittany Timko obviously felt left out and decided she too would have to score a goal. On 63 minutes she did just that, levelling the match and moving one ahead of Mittag as the tournaments leading goal scorer with six. German substitute Malanie Behringer then had a chance to seal three points for her side but her volley went wide of the upright.
Australia predictably thrashed Thailand, taking a 5-0 victory. However the hosts proved that they had heart and once again kept scoring against them in the second half to just 1. They even created chances for themselves against Australia which is a worry for Adrian Santrac’s team.
Collette McCallum was playing as if she had to be somewhere else, trying to end the game as early as possible. She opened the scoring with what looked like an intended cross. However her cross looped over the keepers head and became a 10th minute goal. Nine minutes later there was no doubt what her intentions were as she curled a free kick through a pathetic Thai wall, and into the near post to double the lead.
On 26 minutes Selin Kuralay looked to have herself a goal. However the Aussie playmaker was unselfish and crossed in. Unfortunatly her target didn’t get to the ball. Instead, Thai defender Thidarat Wiwasukhu, did who inadvertently toe poked the ball into her own net. Kylie Ledbrook made it four-nil when she hammered a long range effort to the far corner of the net in first half injury time.
Kuralay managed to pick up a goal for herself in the second half thanks to a bad defensive error. A miss-cued clearance saw Kuralay run through and beat the keeper to the ball. Her shot ricochet off the keepers legs and bobbled into the net on 55 minutes. Australia couldn’t do anymore however as the Thai defence held firm. Jenna Tristram seemed the only one likely to trouble the Thai defence in the second half after that but her efforts went unrewarded.
Italy will feel hard done by when an 88th minute goal knocked them out of the tornament. After defending and hitting the occasional break, Italy seemed home when their tactics paid off in the 70th minute. Raffaella Manieri’s shot was bobbled by the Nigerian keeper who couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line. There was some dispute to the ruling but the referee had no hesitation in blowing her whistle to signal a goal.
Italy returned to trying to defend their slender lead which had proven thus far to be a good tactic. However Nigeria leapt up at the death to deny Italy. A free kick from Akudo Sabi was hit strongly. It came off the underside of the crossbar and went in on the 88th minute to level the scores. The result means Nigeria claim third with 4 points and are assured a place in the quarter finals.
Marta showed why she’s a rising star of the womens game as she once again played a telling hand in Brazil’s 2-1 victory over China. She opened the scoring thanks to a magical run that saw her create confusion amongst China’s backline. She finished the job with a powerful left-foot strike into the top corner on 38 minutes.
Marta’s partner in crime, Cristiane, made sure she wasn’t going to be left out and doubled the Brazilians lead on 47 minutes. A corner was perfectly placed for the leaping Cristiane to head the ball into the net. However China showed why they’ve been so strong over the years in the womens game and hit back in just the 53rd minute. Lou Xiaoxu easily slotted home after finding some space. However that’s all China could do as Brazil piled on the attack. Brazil ran out 2-1 victors to take top spot in the group.
17 November, 2004 |
