The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup kicked off in Canada on Tuesday evening. 336 players, in 16 teams, in four groups of four, playing in four host cities.
All are aiming either for collective glory or to use it as a springboard for their own individual careers by impressing national senior team coaches or club coaches in the U.S. and Europe, with contracts to offer. It is very much the stepping stone from junior level to senior football and it has been the stage upon which some of the game’s current sparkling stars emerged: Christine Sinclair (Canada: 2002); Marta (Brazil: 2002, 2004); Anja Mittag (Germany: 2004); Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux (USA: 2008); and Alexandra Popp (Germany: 2010), to name just a few.
OPENING DAY
The opening match of the tournament saw Group A’s North Korea defeat Finland 2-1, in an upbeat game that included two superb long range strikes, while the hosts Canada lost out to a strong Ghanaian team by a single goal and in Group B, Brazil held China to a 1-1 draw. The eyes of the women’s football world, however, were focussed on the other game in Group B, the clash of the heavyweights at this level, with the USA and Germany meeting in Edmonton. Of the six previous editions of this tournament, the USA have won three titles and Germany two, with the U.S. victorious in their last meeting in the 2012 title decider in Japan, to lift the trophy following a 1-0 win. It was the only goal the favourites Germany conceded in that whole competition, so they (particularly keeper Meike Kaemper and Lina Magull who featured in that final) will have been delighted with their hard fought 2-0 win, last night. It was a nice 41st birthday present too, for Germany’s coach, and former midfield great, Maren Meinert: “The victory today was my gift, and it was fun to unwrap it. It was a game at a very high level and our side obviously ended the happier. I do not say this very often, but I’m very proud of my team.”
WEDNESDAY
England earned a point against South Korea when Martha Harris scored from close range in the second half. The Koreans earlier converted a penalty perhaos harshly given for handball against Aoife Mannion. Beth Mead had chances to win it for the Lionesses, Nikita Parris hit the bar with a great effort and Mo Marley’s team were so close to forcing a last-gasp winner. But 1-1 it stayed, a result which was reflected by Mexico and Nigeria in the same group. France top their group after dismissing Costa Rice 5-1, while New Zealand defeated Paraguay 2-0.
The next fixtures: Friday August 8th
GROUP A: Canada v Finland (Toronto)
Ghana v North Korea (Toronto – live on British Eurosport 2 HD, 9.45pm)
GROUP B: Germany v China (Edmonton – live on British Eurosport HD, 11.45pm)
USA v Brazil (Edmonton)
Want to follow some of the girls on Twitter and/or send them good luck messages?
The England U-20s Women’s Football Team on Twitter:
Megan Walsh – @Megs1994
Caitlin Leach – @C_Leachh
Lizzie Durack – @LizzieDfootball
Paige Williams – @paigewilliams03
Aoife Mannion – @aoifemannion_
Meaghan Sargeant – @MSargeantt
Martha Harris – @MarthaH19
Gabby George – @gabsgeorge
Ellie Stewart – @EllieStewart96
Leah Williamson – @leahwilliamsonn
Sherry McCue – @sherryMcCue
Katie Zelem – @katiezel
Abbey-Leigh Stringer – @abbey_leigh_
Jade Bailey – @JadeBailey_
Jess Sigsworth – @jessSigsworth5
Hannah Blundell – @HanBlundell
Beth Mead – @bmeado9
Nikita Parris – @LilKeets_x
Natasha Flint – @flint_tasha
Jess Carter – @_JessCarter
Mel Lawley – @MelissaLawley_
Let’s get following and #SupporttheU20s!
Photo – TheFA.com
She Kicks – the online news service for women’s football
