Digital Desk: India lost 0-8 against
the USA in their debut match of the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup, a lopsided
Group A contest that was played in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. The USA squad
tormented the Indian team, winning 4-0 after the first half hour and 5-0 at the
break because of their better technical ability. In front of a sizable home
crowd at the Kalinga Stadium, the USA scored three more goals in the second session
to humiliate the Indians.
The CONCACAF champions were led by a
brace from Melina Rebimbas (9th and 31st minute), as well as goals from
Charlotte Kohler (15th), Onyeka Gamero (23rd), Gisele Thompson (39th), Ella
Emri (51st), Taylor Suarez (59th), and captain Mia Bhuta (62nd minute).
Thomas Dennerby, the head coach of
India, had predicted before the game that his team would be difficult to score
against because they had been well-prepared since February, but his players
were completely bewildered and lost the plot on the day. The nation's opening
game in a women's world cup ended up being a nightmare.
Debutants India, who were granted
entry to the age-group competition because they were the hosts, were easily
defeated by the USA, who finished second in the first competition in 2008 but failed to go past the group round in three subsequent attempts.
Goal after goal was conceded by the
shaky Indian defense, which included captain Astam Oraon at left wing-back,
while the home team was unable to put together even a decent goal-bound effort.
In the opening period, the Americans controlled the ball at a rate of almost
70%.
Dennerby used all five of his
substitutions, but India only had two shots total during the game, and none of
them were on goal.
With two games remaining in the
group stage — against Morocco on October 14 and likely champion Brazil — the
lopsided loss would make it impossible for India to go to the quarterfinals
(October 17).
However, India had the game's
opening offensive move when Nitu Linda sped past a few US defenders and passed
to Neha. However, Cameron Roller made a wonderful tackle just in time to stop
the threat. That was the last time India caused the US defense any concern.
Riley Jackson worked hard to go past
a few Indian defenders in the right channel before sending a beautiful cross
for Rebimbas to knock into the net in the ninth minute, scoring the first US
goal.
Charlotte Kohler outran her Indian
defenders six minutes later to score the USA's second goal with a strong
header.
In the 23rd minute, Gamero made up
for the Indians' defensive error before Rebimbas scored her second goal of the
day with a left-footed effort from the edge of the box.
Right back, the US In the 39th minute,
Thompson joined the fun to make it 5-0 and quiet the home supporters.
In the 51st minute, Emri scored on a
beautiful assist from captain Bhuta, the first American of Indian descent to
play in a world cup. Then, Saurez converted a penalty after an Indian defender
brought down Kohler in the area. Bhutan scored just after the hour mark by curling
a powerful drive into the roof of the net, which was arguably the best goal of
the game.
In a Group A match played here earlier in the day, Brazil defeated Morocco 1-0.
For the quarterfinals, the top two teams from each of the four groups will advance.
Nigeria was defeated 2-1 by Germany in a Group B game at Margao.
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