FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008 Day 1 Summary & Highlights
Posted by Footballer on November 20, 2008
Match Highlights (Updated Daily)
France 0-3 USA
The United States, U-20 champions from 2002, began their Chile 2008 campaign in flowing style. The Group B opener, played in Nelson Oyarzún Stadium in Chillan, was never in doubt as the American poured on the class from the opening whistle.
Alex Morgan started out the first half causing havoc at the French rearguard. Initiating wave after wave of attack she brought the best out of goalkeeper Karima Benameur on several occasions. Charlotte Loze looked like the French side’s best response to the USA’s attacks. With her roving and speed combining with dangerous long-range shooting by Marie-Laure Delie, the Europeans were giving as good as they got in the first half underway.
However, the second period belonged solely to the USA. The impressive and energetic Morgan opened the scoring in the 53rd minute after collecting a ball from Sydney Leroux on the right side. Leroux then turned scorer, grabbing a similar goal to the first three minutes later. Leroux went on to grabb her second of the night and sealed the 3-0 affair in the 71st minute.
China 0-0 Argentina
Argentina earned a 0-0 draw with China in the Group B of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Chile 2008 at the Nelson Oyarzun Stadium in Chillan.
China proved themselves to be the more powerful team, physically and tactically, but Argentina were able to nullify the Asian’s attack, chiefly because of their profligacy in the final third.
China had the majority of the possession and controlled the rhythm of the match, but they could not create any real clearcut chances on goal in the first half. Arguably their only real threat came on the half-hour when Gu Yasha’s cross-cum-shot narrowly evaded the keeper and the target.
New Zealand 2-3 Nigeria
Nigeria began their campaign at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Chile 2008 in the best possible way, with a 3-2 win over New Zealand in Coquimbo. The winner cam from Rita Chikwelu late in stoppage time to seal victory for the African champions.
Chile 0-2 England
Two second-half goals gave Mo Marley’s England side a 2-0 win over tournament hosts Chile in Coquimbo, in a match witnessed by a passionate crowd of 15,045.
Both sides had chances in a vibrant first half, in which England dominated possession but Chile often threatened with their quick movement. Daniela Zamora failed to make the most of a one-on-one with England’s keeper Rebecca Spencer in the 29th minute, and shortly afterwards at the other end, Toni Duggan shot from seven yards, only to be foiled by an outstanding save by Chile’s keeper Claudia Endler.
The second half was not as frantic as the first, but after a quiet start, England nosed their way in front on 54 minutes when Brooke Chaplen headed home Jessica Clarke’s accurate cross. Chile came forward in numbers, cheered on by the vocal crowd, but to no avail; England kept their defensive shape well, and ten minutes from the close a counter-attack set Toni Duggan through on goal, and the England striker beat Endler from long range to seal the points.
Match reports source: fifa.com/u20womensworldcup
