2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

With a capacity crowd cheering the host country, PNG, inaccurate passes by the girls in the first 45 minutes gifted Sweden with all the ball possession.

 Blackstenius scored on the 8^th and 42^nd minutes using her height and size to her advantage.

The PNG side was starved of ball possession and had themselves to blame with many poor plays in their own half.

Although Japan provided stiff opposition for the reigning champions, a direct penalty kick conceived by Maria Caldentey from a hand ball by Hisui Haza ultimately gave Spain a fairly comfortable victory.

As is so often the case, Japan struck at the opening minutes in the first half with several attempts by skipper Ruka Norimatsu culminating Japans circuit on the pitch but Spain backliners could not allow Japan forwards through as both teams went off for break at nil all.

Korea DPR is the only team now undefeated in Group A after a defensive knock out of Brazil 4-2.

Brazil will be left guessing what happened after the drinks break in the first half, when Korea scored 3 goals in the space of 10 minutes to take a 4-1 lead into the half time break.

PRK defender Sol Gyong U scored in the 19 minute from a corner kick after the Brazilians failed to clear the ball in front of their goal mouth.

But the South Americans retaliated after 8 minutes as the DPR defenders made the same mistake to clear the ball from a corner kick.

The second match of Pool A will start at 7pm under the lights, straight after the Korea DPR and Brazil match to start play at 4pm.

Both teams came out winless in their first encounters. Brazil showed their class with a 9-0 hiding of the host nation and Korea DPR defeated Sweden 2-0.

Papua New Guinea did not qualified on merit for the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup but is participating as host nation.

But the expectations from home fans are still high and Coach Lisa Cole who is a former USA international will know what to say to her chargers.   

This is after round one of the Group competition.

The 20-year-old made her debut in the World Cup, scoring three goals to help her team to victory against Nigeria on Sunday, November 13, at the Bava Park, Port Moresby.

She scored alongside teammate Yuka Momiki, who scored two goals, in the match against Nigeria.

Players running second with two goals so far in the tournament are Momiki, Germany’s Madeline Gier, Lucía García of Spain and three players from the Brazil team; Brena, Gabi Nunes and Yasmim.

Germany coach Maren Meinert admitted that it’s not going to be an easy task because all teams came well prepared.

Meinert said they will take one game at a time and stay focused in order to win the tournament.

After defeating Venezuela 3-1 at their first match on Monday, Meinert said that she expected exactly the type of challenge put up by Venezuela because she knew they can play very good football.

The coach revealed that even though they’re the defending champions, they’re still a new team with different players compared to the last World Cup in Canada 2014.

The European team lost to North Korea 2-0 on Sunday, November 13 at the Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby.  

Sweden head coach Calle Barrling said after the match that his team needs to improve on their attacking skills in order to score goals.

Barrling explained that the Swedish women defended very well in their opening match however the North Koreans were very skillful in their attacking.

“North Korea is a very good team and probably besides Japan they’re big favorites in the tournament.

The Brazilians defeated PNG 9-0 in the second match for Group A of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup at the Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, on Sunday, November 13.

Bueno said after the game that the team had been working very hard for the World Cup tournament so they deserved the victory.

“We took all the opportunities that we had and scored so that’s the most important thing.

“We played with all respect for PNG like how we would play against all other opponents in this tournament,” Bueno said.

The tournament is underway from November 13-December 3 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Germany is pooled in Group D with Mexico, Venezuela and South Korea.  

The Germans share three points with Mexico following their victories over Venezuela 3-1 and South Korea 2-0 respectively.

Germany however, is ahead on the ladder due to points for and against. Mexico is second on the ladder followed by Venezuela then South Korea.

In Group A, Brazil and North Korea share three points following their victories over home side PNG 9-0 and Sweden 2-0 respectively.

The last time they met was during the final group-stage game at Canada in 2014 where the Asian side secured a crucial 2-1 victory.

This time, Mexico had the upper hand with more technique.

Mexico scored through Jacqueline Crowther and Kiana Palacios both in the second half.

The first half was a tough encounter where both teams displayed tough defense.

Mexico had more possession of the ball right throughout the match while Korea Republic only had 44 percent ball possession.