Leilane stars for Brazil as wonder goals rain down in India

- Brazil keeper her side’s hero in the draw with USA
- Nigeria and Germany both win big
Group A
Brazil 1-1 USA
This was a match that belonged to Leilane, who pulled off some superb saves to keep USA at bay and earn her side a precious point.
Both goals came in a first half in which a tearful Dudinha was stretchered off after falling to the ground, with Rebeca coming on in her place.
The pattern of the second half followed the first, with USA dictating the play and Brazil being kept in the game by their keeper, who was named player of the match.
India 0-3 Morocco
The Morocco fans turned out in force, drums and all, intent on drowning out the home supporters. Beaten 8-0 by USA on their tournament debut, the hosts began in confident fashion and had several chances to go ahead.
That honour went to Morocco however, as Doha El Madani stroked home from the penalty spot at the start of the second half to become the first player from her country to score at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Yasmine Zouhir then pounced to double Morocco’s lead after a goalmouth scramble.
Djennah Cherif completed the scoring with a third for the north Africans in injury time.
Group B
New Zealand 0-4 Nigeria
No sooner had the players walked out on to the pitch in Goa than the rain came down. That did not stop Nigeria from probing away down the left in a dominant first-half display, and it was from that flank that Tumininu Adeshina sent in the cross that allowed Amina Bello to open the scoring with a glancing header.
Nigeria doubled their advantage when Miracle Usani sent in another cross from the left and New Zealand’s Manaia Elliott inadvertently flicked it past her keeper Aimee Feinberg-Danieli and into the net.
The Africans maintained their superiority after the restart. With 15 minutes remaining, they put together a move down the right that ended with Taiwo Afolabi firing home with her right foot from the edge of the box. Second-half substitute Edidiong Etim added a fourth in the closing seconds, stealing possession and striding forward to smash the ball into the top corner from distance.
“It all came down to our determination,” said Usani, reacting to her side’s long-range strikes. “We’ve trained hard and our coaches always tell us not to think about it and shoot whenever we get close to the box.”
Germany 6-0 Chile
Chile midfielder Tali Rovner’s father was in the stands directing the Roja fans as they cheered on their side. Unfazed, Germany took the lead through Jella Veit. A member of Frankfurt’s UEFA Women’s Champions League squad, she pounced when the Chile keeper spilled a free-kick into her path.
Alara Sehitler put the Germans 2-0 up shortly afterwards with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, with Mara Alber then adding a third.
Marie Steiner made it 4-0 from the spot despite the best efforts of Chile keeper Catalina Alvarado. Substitute Loreen Bender added to the South American side’s pain a minute after coming on, before Laila Portella rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
- Wonder goals aplenty on the third matchday at India 2022
Also Read: India look to ‘put in the hard yards’ against Australia in AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
Mumbai Kenkre FC’s wait for their first points of the new year came to an end with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Cooperage Stadium in…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
India to play in Merdeka Cup, confirms AIFF secretary general
There were uncertainties among Indian football fans regarding India’s participation in the competition but AIFF secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran has squashed the rumours Shaji Prabhakaran, the secretary general of AIFF,…
Kenkre FC strengthens defense with signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov
Mumbai-based Kenkre FC have announced the signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to the team,…
Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan
Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder…
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa agree swap deal for midfielders
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have reportedly agreed to a swap deal for midfielders Glan Martins and Lenny Rodriguez The exact opposite deal happened in January 2021 when Lenny…
Hero Super Cup / Indian Super League
Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
NEW DELHI: The 2022-23 Hero Super Cup, featuring 16 teams in the Group Stage, will take place from April 8-25, 2023, in Kerala. Two of the three cities among Kochi, Kozhikode…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…