2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals

Japan books a semi-final spot in their fourth attempt

The Young Nadeshiko in their fourth appearance made no mistake outplaying Brazil in all facets of the quarterfinal match winning convincingly by a 3-1 goal.

In the other quarterfinal played yesterday in Port Moresby, Spain were sent packing by Korea DPR 3-2 in a tough challenge where the winner was found in extra time.       

Korea DPR is chasing their second title in their fifth appearance. 

The Asian giants precede as first teams through to the last four.

Matsubara’s double puts Japan into Semis

Leading 1-0 at half time, Japan returned in the second half to increase their lead with two goals from Shiho Matsubara.

Matsubara scored her first right after the break when the first half goal scorer Miyabi Moriya made a smooth cross that found her boots right in front of the goal to lace the ball through.

Five minutes later, Matsubara counted her second from another lovely cross from flanker Asato Miyagawa to seal the lead.

Japan leading in first half of quarter finals

Permitting less fouls, Japan played stunning footy getting the Brazillians into a defensive mode.

Japan blazed through with several attempts, from striker Yuka Momiki that got countless wide shots from penalties before flanker Miyabi Moriy cracked the score board open in the seconds of the four minutes extra time before the break.

Brazilians stiff defence was not strong enough as Japan maintained ball possession and  limited their fouls to pull in front.

It will be a deciding second half as the win for tonight determines the fate of both teams.

 

Korea DPR send Spain packing after normal time

The first quarterfinals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup played at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby went down to the last minutes of the match as both countries were tied 2-2 at fulltime.

With the scores locked at the end of normal time, both teams were given an extra 30 minutes to find a winner, and the first 15 minutes did not find one.

In the second half of extra time, Kim who was outside the pack of players, from a corner kick hit the back of the net, after Spain goalkeeper Maria Quinones punch the ball forward. 

Mexico’s Kiana Palacios aims to score more goals

Palacios, who was the Live Your Goals Player of the Match in Mexico’s victory against Venezuela 3-2, scored two goals in the match.

This was her third goal overall in the tournament after scoring her first goal in Mexico’s win over Korea Republic 2-0.

Palacios is currently leveled with three goals so far in the tournament, with Brazil’s Brena and Germany’s Stefanie Sanders.

Palacios admitted that their match against USA in the quarterfinal is going to be a tough game.

Sweden’s Blackstenius maintains lead goal scorer status

The tournament ended the group round robin matches on November 21 with the top eight teams confirmed for the quarterfinals.

Unfortunately for Blackstenius, Sweden has bowed out of the competition after finishing third in Group A.

Blackstenius currently is the top scorer so far, scoring a total of five goals in the tournament.

The number 9 scored four goals against home side Papua New Guinea and one goal against Brazil.

Coming in at second place are Brazil’s Gabi Nunes, Mami Ueno of Japan and Korea DPR’s Kim So-hyang, all with four goals each.

Germany, Korea DPR and France among top eight

Germany, Korea DPR and France finished in the top four at the last World Cup tournament hosted by Canada in 2014.

The top eight, out of 16 teams, was determined following the group round robin matches where the top two teams of each group advanced to the quarterfinals.

Reigning champions German topped Group D, Korea DPR topped Group A and France finished second in Group C.

Among the top eight are Brazil from Group A, Japan and Spain from Group B, United States from Group C and Mexico from Group D.