By Samindra Kunti in Mumbai
October 14 – China and Spain took command of Group C at the U-17 Women’s World Cup after narrow opening-day wins against rivals Mexico and Colombia.
As a drizzle descended on Navi Mumbai, thousands of school children from nearby governmental schools were bused in to cheer on the team in Group C at the vast DY Patil Stadium, a cricket-turned-football ground on a university campus. The early kick-off between China and Mexico was then delayed by ten minutes because of inclement 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, smashed a penalty against the bar following a handball in the Chinese penalty box.
One of four US-based players in the Mexican team, Flores as well as Chelsea’s Tatiana Flores played on the front foot and dominated possession against the organised Chinese.
But the Asians took the lead in the 48th minute when captain Ruiqi Qiao converted a penalty. Mexico were without much of a reply, but in a grandstand finish, China extended their lead when Qiao was at the end of a swift counter before Katherin Sillas reduced the deficit from a tight angle. For Mexico, who had been the better side, it was too little too late.
In Group C’s second game, Spain and Colombia partially disappointed. While creating more chances than China and Mexico, play in the final third was often scrappy 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 Spanish got the winning goal through Jone Amezaga who slalomed her way through the Colombian defence in the last minutes of the match.
In the day’s other matches, Canada held France to a 1-1 draw while Japan breezed past debutants Tanzania 4-0.
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