…North Korea in Hot 4th Title Chase, Hit Brazil 2-0 in Semis.
The Orange Girls of Netherlands on Wednesday night in Rabat Morocco ended the dream of the Mexican Girls to play in this year’s world U17 female cup final with a lone goal victory, despite 12 added minutes.
Ajax of Amsterdam Forward, Lina Touzni shattered the Mexican dream when she collected a thorough pass from Anna Gelevert to score in the 69th minute of the 2nd semifinal before a crowd of 69,500 fans.
Mexico scored three goals; conceded 2 but had a wonderful three clean sheets. She lost to North Korea 0-2; beat Netherlands by a lone goal; piped Cameroon also by a lone goal and dismissed Paraguay by a lone goal in the round of 16 matches. She played goalless at full time with Italy and won 5-4 on penalties. That meant Mexico was a low scoring nation.
Netherlands route was more interesting winning narrowly 4-3 in their opening game; lost to Mexico 0-1; lost miserably to Korea 0-5; then played 1-1 at full time, before they edged favoured USA 7-6 on penalties, and at the quarterfinal against France won again via penalty kicks 7-6 after 2-2 at full time in a dramatic game, where the Orange Babes scored in 93rd and 98th minutes.
BNetherlands and Mexico emerged from the reigns of late goals and penalty drama to reach the semis. They both met four times all at the world cup finals where Mexico won thrice and obtained a draw at the 12 goals scoring sheet 9 of which were from Mexico.
At Peru 2005, on 29th September Mexico decision Netherlands 4-0, Mexico won their only title that year with a 3-0 win over Brazil in the final; on 25th September 2011 at Group A game Mexico won 3-2; on 14th November 2019 it was 1-1 and in this tournament Mexico piped Netherlands by a lone goal at the group stages.
Earlier volatile Yu Jong-Hyang supplied a brace (two goals) to halt the Samba Girls planned victory parade first from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute when Andreyna handled the ball in the box and was flashed a red card immediately.
Yu came rampaging again in the 50th minute to increase her goals hull to 8 which is a surety to win the Golden Boot for the Highest Goal scorer ahead of her team mate Kim Won Sim who is next with 6 goals.
Brazil lost several opportunities in the first half but the brilliant counter attacks of the Koreans placed them in great advantage for the 4th successful lifting of the title even as defending Champions.
The Losers match will now be between Brazil and Mexico at Rabat on Saturday 8th November at 4:30 pm while the grand finale also holds in Rabat between defending Champions, North Korea and Netherlands at 8pm,
Then winners of several awards will be formerly announced by the world football ruling body, FIFA.
By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
North Korea versus Brazil in crunchy tackle.