2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

It was a good start to the match with both teams having equal possession of the ball in the first three minutes of the match.

Nigeria's Lillian Tule received a yellow card in the 5th minute which Spain used in its advantage.

 Spain's Midfielder Alba Redonzo found Nigeria's net a minute after, registering its first goal in the 5th minute.

Nigeria responded with its first goal in the 11th minute which was scored by midfielder Ihuoma Onyebuchi leveling the points at one all.

PNG will take on favourites South Korea in the final match of Group A tonight (Sunday, November 20) at the National Football Stadium, Port Moresby.

The visitors have nothing to lose in Sunday’s game but PNG will be hoping to at least score a goal in the tournament on home soil.

Unbeaten North Korea is leading the group points ladder while PNG is yet to secure a win and put a mark on the score board.

In PNG’s previous encounters, the host nation was humiliated by Brazil in their first match 9-0 and defeated by Sweden 6-0 in the second match.

The Group A match will kick off tonight at 7pm local time (Sunday, November 20) at the PNG Football Stadium which has a seating capacity of 5 000.

Both teams share three points however Brazil is running second to North Korea due to points for and against.

Both teams have each registered a loss and a win so far in the tournament.

Brazil defeated PNG 9-0 in their first match but lost to North Korea 4-2 in the second match.

Sweden lost to North Korea in their first game and defeated PNG 6-0 in the second game.

The Canadian squad suffered a 5-0 loss against Spain in their opening match and went down again 3-1 against Nigeria in their second in the Group B match at Bava Park on Wednesday.

Today, the women in red and white (Canada) will face champions Japan in their final group match before bowing out for the finals.

Japan will be looking to see Canada off with a win to qualify for a spot for the quarter finals or else the rival team Nigeria, who are currently tied at 3 points each will book the spot if they beat Spain.

Korea had reason for cheer as they recovered from an early setback to earn a spot in the Quater finals.

It was the vice captain Yeji Namgung 75th minute goal that boalstered the nil all tie after the break from a penalty to get Korea into the game.

Four minutes later Chaerin Han slots in another goal that boosted Koreas momentum to lead 2-0.

But that was not all as Seongmi Kim sealed the victory in the 89th minute with a curled right-footed effort beyond Venezuelas Keeper Franyely Rodriguez for the victory.

USA maintained the lead on the Kiwis throughout the match grabbing their first win, 3 -1. USA kept their perfect start to dominate New Zealand in all facets of play in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

USA midfielder Ashley Sanchez will not believe her luck in the 3rd minute of the match, when New Zealand defender gifted the ball to her outside the 15 metre mark and she made the Oceania Champions pay by hitting the back of the net.

The three-time champions increased their lead five minutes later through the boot of skipper Mallory Pugh.

In PNG’s previous encounter on Monday, the host nation of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2016 was humiliated by Brazil 9-0.

Cole, in a conference after the match, said she was proud of the girls’ performance playing against the European champions.

She said PNG has a long way to go to be competitive at the world stage.

“We are not as fit as other country, but have improved in the last 9 months in camp.”

Papua New Guinea did not qualify on merit for the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup but is participating as hosts.

Canada came out in the opening minute to open the scoreboard with the first point of the night when mid fielder Deanne Rose crossed an amazing right footy for striker Gabrielle Carle who laced the footy with a powerful chop into the net to lead 1-0.

Chinwendu Ihezuo and Joy Bokiri of Nigeria pushed forward with every opportunity until the 44th minute when Canada’s Bianca St Georges caused a handball foul after trying to head the ball off the penalty box.

Nigeria's striker Chinaza Uchendu converted the direct penalty for an equalizer at half time.

 In the earlier pool match, Korea DPR defeated Brazil 4-2, to remain the unbeaten team in Group A.

Sweden striker Blackstenius bagged a double to make host, PNG, trail 2-0 at half-time, and added another double in the second half to increase her match tally.

Sweden substitute Johanna Kaneryd and Anne Anvegard also scored a goal each in the match.

The home girls failed to play basic soccer with many passes going astray, giving the visitors a stroll in the park in front of 9, 123 spectators.

With a capacity crowd cheering the host country, PNG, inaccurate passes by the girls in the first 45 minutes gifted Sweden with all the ball possession.

 Blackstenius scored on the 8^th and 42^nd minutes using her height and size to her advantage.

The PNG side was starved of ball possession and had themselves to blame with many poor plays in their own half.