Match Highlightshttp://www.fifa.com/u17womensworldcup/highlights/video/video=1784883/index.htmlFrance end Asian domination
“The hosting of a FIFA Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan is a symbol for the region and shows the world that football is open to all cultures and civilisations,” commented FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter before the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 got under way. “This is a place where East meets West.”
As if to prove Blatter’s last point, the final of the tournament threw up a meeting between Asia and Europe, the first in the competition’s history, as Korea DPR met France. The game marked a changing of the guard in U-17 women’s football, as the trophy, which has been in the possession of Asian teams for the last four years, was claimed by the French after their penalty-shootout win at Baku’s Tofig Bahramov Stadium last Saturday.
The final brought an appropriately thrilling end to a compelling competition that had begun three weeks earlier. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the President of the Azerbaijan 2012 Local Organising Committee Elkhan Mammadov said Azerbaijan would stage the greatest FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup of all time.
The tournament certainly began with a bang as international superstar Jennifer Lopez lit up the ceremony with her smash hit On The Floor, which provided the backdrop as the 336 players from the 16 participating teams made their entrance.
Asian firepowerecond round of games, though there were signs that the rest of the world perhaps had the measure of them. While the Chinese were held to a 1-1 draw by Germany, Korea DPR dropped their first points when France restricted them to the same scoreline. Elsewhere there were early exits for first-time finalists Azerbaijan, Gambia and Uruguay, who all paid dearly for their lack of experience.
Japan followed up their demolition of Brazil with a 9-0 rout of Mexico to become the only team to win both their opening two games at Azerbaijan 2012. In the process the Young Nadeshiko also took their record goal haul from the three editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to 54.
Aged 13 years and nine months, Gambia’s Sainey Sissohore secured a record of her own in becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in a FIFA world finals by converting her side’s second goal in their 10-2 defeat to France, who, courtesy of that thumping win, advanced to the knockout phase of the competition for the first time in their history.
France’s joy was the USA’s pain, as they went out of the group phase on goal difference, an unwanted first for the mighty Stars and Stripes in a FIFA women’s competition.
The quarter-final line-up comprised teams from five different confederations (CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC and UEFA), two more than was the case at both New Zealand 2008 and Trinidad and Tobago 2010. The OFC is the only confederation yet to be represented in the last eight.
As well as seeing global standards and the quality of play improve, Azerbaijan 2012 also brought increased attendances, with the average crowd for the group matches totalling 7,291.
Giant-killing Ghana There was a major shock in store when the knockout phase began, as Ghana pulled off a 1-0 defeat of Japan, the only side to reach the last eight with a 100-percent record. With the Chinese falling at the group stage, that left Korea DPR, 2-1 quarter-final winners over Canada, as the AFC’s sole standard bearers. It was changed days from Trinidad and Tobago 2010, when three Asian sides advanced to the last four.
Progressing along with the North Koreans and first-time semi-finalists Ghana were European champions Germany and the team they beat to win the continental crown, France.
Having already routed Gambia and beaten the Nigerians on penalties in the previous round, Les Bleuettes took another African scalp when they ended the Black Maidens’ run, both France’s goals coming from striker Kadidiatou Diani, who is of Malian extraction.
In the other semi, 2008 champions Korea DPR reprised their quarter-final elimination of the Germans two years ago by edging to a 2-1 win against their out-of-sorts opponents.
Germany’s woes continued in the match for third place when they went down 1-0 to a Ghana side reduced to ten for the best part of an hour, the Black Maidens becoming the first African team to take a place on the podium at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
France also made history in seeing off Korea DPR in the final, winning the country’s first FIFA women’s title, with their outstanding centre-half Griedge Mbock Bathy also receiving the adidas Golden Ball.
Azerbaijan 2012 began as it ended, with music, this time provided by Shakira and the infections rhythms of her Waka Waka hit, bringing an appropriately colourful curtain down on a wonderful tournament.
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Tears and joy as curtain comes down
THE DAY REPLAYED - The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2012 in Azerbaijan came to a fitting end on Saturday with a tense and thrilling final between France and Korea DPR. The sides could not be separated in normal time, but Les Bleuettes finally overcame the determined and skilful Asians on penalties to seal their maiden triumph in this tournament.
The Europeans were worthy champions too, as they won four, drew two, and lost none of their six matches. That represents tournament play of the highest order, also reflected in the award of the adidas Golden Ball for the best player to outstanding defender Griedge Mbock Bathy.
Earlier in the day, Ghana made history as Mas-Ud Dramani’s side won the third-place play-off against reigning U-17 women's European champions Germany with a first-half goal from Priscilla Okyere. The Black Maidens captured the hearts of the crowd with their relentless battling spirit, as they survived almost 60 minutes with only ten players and ultimately reaped the reward for their efforts.
ResultsFinal
France 1-1 Korea DPR (France won 7-6 on penalties)
Third-place play-off
Ghana 1-0 Germany
Goal of the dayFrance-Korea DPR, Lea Declercq (33’)
The opening goal in the final came from a magnificent French attacking move, Ghoutia Karchouni unleashing a sublime pass from the halfway line into the path of Lea Declercq. The France No7 outpaced her marker Ri Un-Yong and created space to shoot before lashing an unstoppable 15-yard drive past goalkeeper Rim Yong-Hwa.
Memorable momentsWhen rivals turn comrades
For the second time in the tournament, the German U-17 juniors showed a tremendous sense of fair play and comradeship between rivals. In the group match against China PR, it was Vivien Beil who rushed to assist opponent Zhang Chen when she fell victim to cramp, and in the third-place play-off, Laura Leluschko was first on the scene to help Priscilla Okyere, who had opened the scoring for Ghana shortly beforehand. Okyere had fallen to the turf for no discernible reason and had to be substituted with an injury.
Ghana make historyWhen the referee blew the final whistle on the third-place play-off, the African players erupted with joy where they stood. Even captain Okyere managed to join in, hopping on her one uninjured leg to join her team-mates and celebrate a stirring victory. No Ghana team had ever previously survived the group stage at a FIFA women's tournament and the Black Maidens arrived as rank outsiders, but they leave Azerbaijan as the undoubted surprise package.
Colourful closing ceremonyThe closing ceremony prior to the final was a riot of blazing colour, traditional costume and typical folk instruments, yet again underlining the beauty and richness of Azerbaijani culture. To the background of tuneful local music, a ball juggler surrounded by colourfully clad local dancers showed off her skills in the centre circle, whetting the crowd’s anticipation for the final showdown.
Romane conquest as Bruneau turns heroIn the penalty shoot-out to settle the absorbing final between France and Korea DPR, French 'keeper Romane Bruneau finished as the hero, not only saving from Kim Un-Hwa and Ri Un-Yong, but also shouldering responsibility and scoring a spot-kick herself. Bruneau was consistently excellent throughout the tournament, and duly picked up the adidas Golden Glove as best goalkeeper.
Superstar Shakira whips crowd into frenzyThe FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2012 finished with a spectacular climax as the players collected their awards, and a world superstar took to the stage. It was Jennifer Lopez who wowed the crowds at the opening ceremony, but the honours at the end fell to Shakira, who rocked Tofig Bahramov Stadium in Baku with her hits “Waka Waka” and “Addicted To You”, celebrating with the players on a fabulous final day.
Stat of the day1 – France became the first European team to lay hands on the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. The trophy went to Korea DPR at New Zealand 2008, and Korea Republic in Trinidad and Tobago two years later. It was also the first time France have contested a final at a FIFA women's tournament.
The quote“We didn’t estimate our rival correctly. France really played well. At the end they won. We are not pessimistic about the outcome because it is not bad result. The organisational matters of the tournament were perfect. It was the best one,” Hwang Yong Bong, Korea DPR head coach.
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