Today.Az » Sports » Results of 2nd day of FIFA U-17 Women`s World Cup
23 September 2012 [21:16] - Today.Az
European champions Germany began their FIFA U-17 Women`s World Cup with a hard-fought victory over Ghana.
The African side began the brighter, with Fatima Al-Hassan forced Merle Frohms into her first notable save of the day, tipping her header round the post after ten minutes.
However, just three minutes later the Africans were behind. Great work by captain Sara Daebritz down the left saw her pick out Venus El-Kassam. Her header was saved but Victoria Adyei could do nothing about Vivien Beil`s follow-up.
It was two before 20 minutes had been played, Pauline Bremer taking the ball down on her thigh at the edge of the box before prodding it past Adyei.
With a two-goal cushion Germany solidified and looked more composed, eliminating the spaces Ghana exploited early on. The pace of the game suffered as a result.
Ghana came out fighting after the break, with Jane Ayieyam getting behind the German backline only to see her shot flash wide of the post. Sherifatu Sumalia, who was outstanding throughout, almost scored a stunning goal from 40-yards with a vicious freekick that Frohms palmed over.
Ghana finally broke through though, as Frohms was called into action again diving at the feet of Ayieyam. However Issaka collected the loose ball on the left wing, before a neat turn allowed her to square to Ayieyam who slotted in. Germany held out though to begin Azerbaijan 2012 with a win.
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Mexico began their Group C campaign with three points after beating New Zealand 1-0 at the Bayil Stadium in Baku, with Fernanda Perez scoring the only goal.
While the victory was Mexico`s second at a FIFA U-17 Women`s World Cup, defeat leaves their opponents facing an uphill battle to avoid being eliminated at the group stage for the third consecutive edition.
Looking to get the ball forward quickly, it was Mexico who began the match on the front foot, testing New Zealand goalkeeper Lily Alfeld as early as the third minute.
Christopher Cuellar`s team then struck the crossbar 11 minutes later, Perez the unlucky player. Perez went close again shortly after, sending her cross-shot just wide of the post.
The Kiwis came to life midway through the opening period when a set-piece from Emma Fletcher drifted narrowly over the bar. Luz Duarte was denied by the New Zealand defence after an impressive dribble on the half-hour, but the breakthrough arrived five minutes later.
Perez rose highest to head home a corner-kick past Alfeld and give Mexico the lead, which they showed no signs of surrendering before the break and indeed held onto throughout the second half.
Alfeld kept New Zealand in the match with saves from Samantha Arellano and Taylor Alvarado, but their misery was compounded by an injury to Megan Lee and there was no way back.
The Mexicans are back in action on Wednesday against Brazil, while New Zealand face Japan later the same day.
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The next game of the tournament China and Uruguay teams met. The match ended with a 4-0 score.
Goals: TANG Jiali (23'), ZHANG Chen (34' 41'), LU Yueyun (79'). The match took place at the stadium "Dalga Arena" in Baku.
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In the next game of the tournament Japan and Brazil teams met. The match ended with a 5-0 score.
Goals: Rika MASUYA (2' 17') Yui NARUMIYA (49' 67') Hina SUGITA (63') . The match took place at the stadium "Bayil" in Baku.
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