Emotions Run High as the U17 Women's World Cup prepare for Quarterfinals Knockout Stage

Saskia Meier face down in tears as Germany leave the tournament

The FIFA u17 Women’s World Cup leaves the group stages and progresses to the knockout phase. The tournament is known for producing the next top stars of the future and has lived up to expectation in terms of drama, passion, good football-soccer- and lots of goals.

Though they are youngsters I felt it was great to watch as they displayed emotions responding to the agony of defeat and the ecstasy of victory.

In Group B for example on the final day of the group games, North Korea and Germany both fought hard to gain 3 points in order to qualify but with dependence on the result in the other game. Canada who had drawn- tied- both of their first two games were facing group leaders Ghana and then Canada’s Marie Levasseur scored two goals in the first half that did enough to ensure that the result in the North Korea/Germany game would mean nothing to them. North Korea edged Germany in a 4-3 thriller leaving Germany winless in the group and bottom of the table, they seemed to be the favorites to top the group but somehow they weren’t even close. North Korea bowed out as well, but on a high.

  No group was as dramatic as group B but still there was excitement in them all. Venezuela trashed all teams in their group conceding not a single goal, topping group A and putting them in a confident position against opponents in the knockout round. Italy progressed as well with 6 points leaving Zambia and host nation Costa Rica both exiting the tournament. The host nation had a disappointing tournament but had something to keep as in the last game they finally recorded a goal as early as the third minute against Zambia despite losing again.

In Group C Japan topped the group confidently, winning all games, scoring 15 goals and conceding none. The Japanese youngsters look like the team to beat and their opponents in the next round should be wary of them. Spain qualified second with 6 points while New Zealand and Paraguay both left the competition with just a point.

Finally in group D, African heavyweights Nigeria also won all games amassing 9 points, Mexico were second and there was nothing China or Colombia could do in their game to threaten the qualifying positions despite China defeating the South Americans by 3 goals to 1.

In the Quarterfinals knockout phase, Canada would have to continue to defy all odds as they take on Venezuela, Japan face North America’s Mexico, Ghana clash with Italy and Nigeria match up with Spain.

The competition’s leading goal scorer is Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos with 4 goals whom Canada will have to be wary of, although they have a goal threat of their own in their hero of the group stages, Marie Levasseur, who has 3 goals. 

Among the 15 goals Japan have scored in the tournament Hina Sugita has the highest percentage, she has 3 to her name. Nigeria’s Uchenna Kanu is a deadly force to reckon with, she has scored a goal in each game, Spain also have their fair share of top scorers, Pilar Garrote and Nahikari Garcia both have 3 goals and the other player with 3 in the competition is Gabriela García of free scoring side, Venezuela.

All these taken into consideration the quarterfinals tends to be a feisty match up and I look forward to it to see some good display, good football and good goals, unfortunately someone has to lose and someone must win but that’s what instigates the passion of these youngsters. 

At the moment I would say Japan are favorites for the cup, the winner between Spain and Nigeria could make the finals, I think Nigeria/Spain are dark horses.

These are my thoughts post yours in the comments below.
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Thank You.
- Sam.