Nigeria has already created history by entering the semis of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup for the first time. On their fourth try to go past the quarter-finals, they beat the mighty USA in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. They defeated USA in the penalty shootouts by 3-4 as Bankole Olowookere, the head coach of the Nigerian team had some strategies ready for the shootouts. Before facing Colombia in the semis, the head coach stated that they are here to create miracles and confident of going into the finals of the world cup.
The Colombian coach and Nigerian coach along with their players in the pre-match press conference in Goa.
The Nigerian coach was accompanied by her team captain Emmanuel Blessing in the pre-match press conference. Bankole seemed confident in his words and is very much proud of the fact that his team has made it to the semi-finals of the world cup.
"We love football, we enjoy football. Qualifying for the quarter-finals gave us a lot of joy. Back home everybody is happy."
"Getting to the semi-finals is a morale booster for us as a team because we have put a lot of effort in getting this far. We trained and qualified from Africa with a good record...It is a big achievement for us qualifying for the semi-finals. Beating USA was an honour to us. We told you we are here to create a lot of records. And, that's a part of our record," coach Bankole said on beating the USA team in the quarter-finals.
The Nigerian team has done exceedingly well and scored 8 goals in the tournament. However, against Colombia, they will have to be as much resilient in defence as they were against the USA team. Bankole meantime believes, staying positive as a team and showing character in each minute of the game will be crucial for them to qualify for the finals.
Along with that, according to him, the Nigerian girls have been doing great in showing toughness on the field. He believes a lot of girls in Nigeria will now look at them as heroes. Hence, it is their opportunity to create a platform for those girls who want to play football in Nigeria.
"There are many players outside waiting for football. We want to create a platform for them. None of the teams from Nigeria was able to go beyond the quarter-final stage. So, (after reaching the semis), we have been able to create that awareness. That is why (these girls) whenever they play, they show character (to provide the platform for others)," Bankole expressed.
Emmanuel Blessing, the captain of the Nigeria U-17 Women's team stated that the morale in the team is very high right now. They are feeling very much confident about creating more records for the Nigerian team and hopes to reach the final of the tournament.
Nigeria will face Colombia in the 1st semi-final starting from 4.30 pm in the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on 26th October.
Spain U-17 Women won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, defeating Colombia U-17 Women at the DY Patil Sports Stadium in Mumbai.
Ana Maria Guzman Zapata's own goal gave Spain the lead in the 82nd minute of the game, which eventually proved to be the only goal of the match as the Spaniards defended their title after winning it in 2018. Spain took a 1-0 lead but the goal was disallowed by VAR as Cristina had touched the ball with her hand.
Spain's Vicky Lopez was adjudged as the player of the tournament whereas goalkeeper Sofia Fuente won the award for best goalkeeping.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in attendance at the DY Patil Sports Stadium along with top delegates and officials from Asian Football Federation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Spanish coach Kenio Gonzalez spoke to the press post-match:
A) He was asked about the performance and the current feeling of winning the World Cup.
"The pressure wasn't high because we are the Spanish team and we are always in it to win. We were defeated in the Euro final and we knew we had to make up for that final and take this World Cup to Spain""It was a very tight tournament. All the teams were very tough to win against. In football, you have to think about how to play in attack and find the spaces in the build-up to come up with opportunities. It was hard to find those opportunities. It was the World Cup at the end of the day," Kenio said.
B) Vicky is a midfielder and we saw her play much higher up and score goals throughout the tournament?
"Vicky is a very hardworking player, she has been training in multiple positions and can play them. She has been working in her club for this. Vicky is a player who knows she needs to get into good positions to score goals". Kenio said.
C) From Sportz Point (Koushik Biswas): How did you manage to cope with the weather change and climate difference?
"Climate change was difficult for us and we brought our own cook to adapt. It was very tough training in the morning so we shifted to the afternoon, but it rained, so it was tough for us to acclimatize. We started in Navi Mumbai, then moved to Goa, where the conditions were better and back here. So it was tough but the girls responded well." Coach Kenio said.
Spanish star Vicky Lopez was also asked about her tournament and about her general feeling after winning the World Cup.
D) From Sportz Point (Koushik Biswas): What is your next dream after winning the World Cup?
"Well winning the World Cup was a dream and this is the lowest division in Spanish national football so I hope to grow and develop at higher levels and reach the elites. Right now, I play for Barcelona, so I wish to win trophies with my club as well." said Vicky Lopez.
For more FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022, follow Sportz Point.
Defending champion Spain beat Colombia 1-0 in the final to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022 at the DY Patil Stadium, here on Sunday.
A late own goal by Ana Guzman in the 82nd minute was the difference between the two sides. The two teams had also met in the group phase, with Spain winning 1-0.
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In presence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, alongside top officials from the Asian Football Federation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF), Spain successfully defended the title which Spain beat Colombia 1-0 to win U-17 Women's World Cup.
In the third-place match, Nigeria beat Germany 3-2 in a shootout after the score was 3-3 at the end of regulation time. It was Nigeria's third straight shootout. They had beaten USA 4-3 in the quarters before losing to Colombia 6-5 in the semis.
Meanwhile, hosts India failed to clear the group stage after losing all their three matches.
Image- Sportz Point
However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino complimented India for being gracious hosts of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
"India has been a fantastic host. This makes me believe that you can do more in other competitions as well. In the meantime, there can be only one World Champion, but there are 210 countries that are not champions," said Infantino.
"However, I always say that all 211 countries win in the end. Football brings smiles to every little girl and boy in the world. When children play or watch football, they smile," he added.
Image- Sportz Point
Now we take a look at the Individual FIFA Awards given to stand-out players in the U-17 Women's World Cup:
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022: Winners: 1st Place: Spain 2nd Place: Colombia 3rd Place: Nigeria
FIFA Fair Play Award: Japan
Adidas Boot Awards: Golden: Loreen Bender Nr. 19 - Germany Silver: Momoko Tanikawa Nr. 14 - Japan Bronze: Linda Caicedo Nr. 11 - Colombia
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Adidas Glove Award: Golden: Sofia Fuente, Nr. 1 - Spain
Adidas Ball Awards Golden: Vicky Lopez, Nr. 9 - Spain Silver: Linda Caicedo, Nr. 11 - Colombia Bronze: Mara Albert, Nr. 7 - Germany
Both Colombia and Spain are just one match away from creating history. Colombia is looking for their maiden title in the U-17 Women's World Cup. On the contrary, the Spanish team will look to defend their title and become the first-ever team to win the title in successive editions. Colombia's Linda Caicedo, Yesica Munoz, Luise Agudelo and Stefania Perlaza will hold the key. Meanwhile, Spain will be depending on Vicky Lopez, Lucia Corrales and captain Marina Artero. Colombian coach Carlos Paniagua stated that they are very focused as a team and they do not want to let this opportunity go as they want to make history. Spanish coach Keino Gonzalo wants to stay calm as a team and play beautiful football for the fans. Catch live scores, news and updates of the Colombia vs Spain final match of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final in our Live Blog.
Spain's Luica Corrales in the semi-final match against Germany.
Match Details
Match: Final, FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, 2022 Date: 30/10/2022 Time: 8 pm Ground: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai How to watch: You can watch the match LIVE on the FIFA+ app, Voot Select and Sports18 Network in India.
Who said what before the match?
Kenio Gonzalo, head coach, Spain U-17 Women's team: "We want to be calm as a team and play beautiful football in the final."
Carlos Paniagua, head coach, Colombia U-17 Women's team: "We are very focused for tomorrow's match. We do not want to let this opportunity go of making history."
Stefania Perlaza, defender, Spain U-17 team: "We know Spain is good in defence. But, we will fight as a team in the final."
Marina Artero, captain, Spain U-17 team: "A world cup is a dream for us and we are still dreaming."
Stefania Perlaza (left) and Marina Artero pose for a picture in the press conference.
Colombia vs Spain | LIVE Blog
Live blog of the Colombia vs Spain match will start as soon as the lineups are announced. Stay tuned till then.
8.00 pm Kick-off: Here we go! For the final time in this world cup.
8.02 pm 2' | Linda has her first chance in the match. From the left, she is too quick.
8.05 pm 5' | Gabriela nearly scored from a free-kick! Sofia makes an important save within the first five minutes of the match.
8.15 pm 15' | Spain is looking to keep the position of the ball and wait for the perfect moment to score.
8.22 pm 22' | A brilliant save by Luisa. Carla Camacho was on target with the shot from outside the box.
8.29 pm 29' | Natalia's volley nearly went into the net. Spain is trying t hold on to more positions. But, Colombia is looking threatening in the counter-attacks.
8.31 pm 32' | Linda makes a great run from the right. Unfortunately, none was there to receive the cross from her.
8.36 pm 37' | A chance for Spain. But, Judit makes the important interception for Colombia. Spain is looking good.
8.40 pm 40' | Christina Libran's shot takes a deflection to give Spain another corner. Spain's attack are getting better and better.
8.41 pm 41' | A bold move by Spain's goalkeeper Sofia. She comes from the box to stop Linda Caicedo from having a shot at the goal. Linda looks injured.
Half-time score: Colombia 0-0 Spain
9.03 pm 46' | Colombia makes an early substitution. Viancha comes in for Oriana.
9.05 pm 48' | GOOOALLLLLLLL! It is Cristina Libran who scores the first goal of the final. But it looks like Libran had a tip of the hand. The goal gets disallowed. We are back to square.
9.12 pm 54' | Olaya Enrique comes in for Jone Amezaga.
9.16 pm 59' | Linda makes a beautiful run. But her cross from the left can not find Karla Viancha who was waiting in the middle of the box.
9.22 pm 64' | Colombia looking solid while defending. Spain with the tendency of scoring late might have to keep attacking till they find the most important goal of the tournament.
9.30 pm 72' | Linda looking frustrated now. She shoots a ball way over the bar.
9.38 pm 80' | A solid chance for Karla Viancha. She fails to connect the ball properly.
9.39 pm 82' | GOOOOOOALLLLLLL. Spain scores. A brilliant cross from Paula Partido finds Olaya Enrique, whose touch deflects from Ana Guzman and goes straight into the goal.
9.45 pm 88' | Linda makes another strong run from left and it is too much for her to do it all alone.
9.55 pm
Full time: Spain becomes the first team to win the U17 Women's world cup in successive editions.
Olowookere Bankole and his team are in the history books after Nigeria vs Germany match. They are now the first woman U-17 team from their Country to win a medal. After their heartbreaking loss in the semis, the Nigerian team turned up with all in the bronze medal match against Germany. Although the Germans were all over Nigeria in the first few minutes, Nigeria scored a goal from nowhere. It was Ajakaye who scored from a counter-attack to give Nigeria a lead. After the second half, the German defence looked a bit out of place as Edidiong Etim found the net for Nigeria. All of a sudden the Nigerian team were 3-0 up in the match and was just an inch away from the Bronze medal.
However, the Germans had a different plan. Captain Jella Veit scored in the 73rd minute. Then, Paulina scored in the 85th minute to make it 3-2 for the Nigerian. In the 90th minute, a stunner from the substitute Laureen took the game to the penalties. Nigerian goalkeeper Faith saved one from Paulina and Jella Veit shoot it over the bar to hand the bronze medal to Nigeria. Check out the full match report of the Nigeria vs Germany match in our LIVE Blog.
Match Details
Match: Third-place match, FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, 2022 Date: 30/10/2022 Time: 4.30 pm Ground: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai How to watch: You can watch the LIVE on the FIFA+ app, Voot Select and Sports18 Network in India.
Who said what before the match
Bankole Olowookere, head coach, Nigeria U-17 Women's team: "We are talking to the players as parents. We played six matches before reaching here. I am very proud of the girls. We will put more effort tomorrow."
Friederike Kromp, head coach, Germany U-27 Women's team: "It is always about winning and losing together. We stay strong as a team. Being the third-best team in the world will be a cool achievement also."
Nigerian coach (left) and German coach pose for a photo after the press conference ahead of their clash for the Bronze medal in FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
Nigeria vs Germany | LIVE Blog
Nigeria vs Germany Live blog will start when as soon as the lineups get announced. Stay tuned.
Lineups
The tactical lineup of Nigeria vs Germany Third place match. Image FIFA Media.
Germany (4-1-2-3): Eve Boettecher (GK), Amaleen, Emily, Jella Veit (C), Mathilde, Mara Alber, Paulina, Marie Steiner, Alara Sehilter, Svea Stoldt, Laura Glonning.
Score: Nigeria 3-3 Germany
4.30 pm Kick-off: Both teams are ready. And, here we go!
4.31 pm 1' | Long range shot from Amina Bello but straight into the hands of Germany's goalkeeper Eve.
4.34 pm 4' | GOOOOALLLL! Germany leads 1-0! Steiner gets the last touch on the ball from Laura Glonning from the right. VAR cancels the gaol. Mara Alber was found guilty of fouling Faith, the Nigerian goalkeeper.
4.41 pm 11' | Janzen's shot hits the bar. A few yards from outside the box and Janzen nearly scored the first goal of the match.
4.44 pm 14' | Steiner nearly had found herself in scoring position. Comfort was there to stop her for Nigeria.
4.49 pm 20' | GOOOOALLLLLLLL! Nigeria leads against the run of play. Germany was looking for off-side and Ajakaye takes advantage of that and Eve could not stop that shot from her. Nigeria 1-0 Germany.
Ajakaye Opeyemi celebrates after scoring the first goal of the match.
4.51 pm 21' | Amina Bello hits the crossbar. Nigeria suddenly looking more confident in the attack.
4.55 pm 25' | Paulina Platner with a shot from outside the box. But, Faith was ready for that. First shot on target from Germany.
4.57 pm 27' | Cross from Mara was not gripped well by Faith and nearly Germany had another chance. Adeshina saves the mistake from Faith.
5.00 pm 30' | Not a good sign for the game. Comfort is seriously injured and is replaced by Blessing Sunday.
5.05 pm 35' | Despite Germany looking the better team, somehow, Nigeria has managed to put a defender behind every German forwards.
5.08 PM 38' | Blessing Sunday nearly scored an own goal. Faith Omilana stops it and meanwhile gets injured.
5.13 pm 43' | Germany creating lots of buildups but they are lacking a proper finish to make a comeback in the game.
5.23 pm 45+8' | Blunder of a miss by Paulina. What a chance for Chidera Okenwa. Eve Boettcher gets the better of her and makes an important save. Nigeria could have been 2-0 up in the stroke of half-time.
Half-time: Nigeria 1-0 Germany
5.39 pm 46' | Melina Kruger comes in for Alara Sehitler.
5.43 pm 48' | GOALLLLL for Nigeria. Amina Bello from Nigeria heads the freely in the box from a corner by Usani Miracle. Nigeria 2-0 Germany.
5.56 pm 62' | GOOOALLLLLLL! Nigeria is all over Germany here. What a volley from Edidiong Etim. Shoots from the middle of the box and they lead by 3-0 now. Etim comes from the bench and scores the goal that might give her country the first-ever World Cup medal. She is only 15!
6.02 pm 68' | Nearly the fourth one for Nigeria. Deflection from Etim nearly went in. Ajakaye's pace is too much for the German defence.
6.05 pm 70' | Jella Veit's header hits the cross bar. Certainly not the day for Germany.
6.07 pm 73' | GOOOALLLLLL! Captain Jella Veit does not miss this time. Another brilliant free-kick from Mara Alber and the captain delivers. We have got a match in our hands. Nigeria 3-1 Germany.
6.15 pm 81' | Mara Alber has been trying hard. But, she alone can not do anything for the German team. They need a goal and a quick one.
6.18 pm 85' | Another German goal gets cancelled by offside. But the VAR gives it to the Germans. 3-2!
6.25 pm 90+ 1'| Laureeennnnn Brender scores for Germany! It's 3-3 for Germany!
6.44 pm
Nigeria wins the bronze medal. They defeats Germany by 6-5 in the penalties.
Jella Veit and Paulina Bartz missed their penalties for Germany. Sunday, Etim and Ajakaye scored for Nigeria to make it 6-5 for them.
Nigerian players celebrate after their win against Germany.
Spain defeats Germany in the rematch from Women's U17 Euro Final to book a place in the final of FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022. Again a late goal from Spain takes them through to their successive final of the world cup. The current U-17 Women's Euro Champion Germany was neck to neck with the defending champions. However, it was the all important goal from substitute Lucia in the 90th minute that secured the win for Kenio Gonzalo's team. From the beginning of the match Germany created many chances via Mara Alber. Her goal on the 19th minute was eventually cancelled by VAR for an off-side. Throughout the 90 minutes of the game, the goalkeepers and defenders were busy due to number of attacks both teams were able to make. For Spain it was Vicky Lopez, Sandra Villafane and Carla Camacho who continuously created a lot of chances but could not convert them till Lucia came in and scored in the 90th minute of the game to make it impossible for Germany to make a comeback. Spain will now defend their title against Colombia in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Navi Mumbai. Read the full match report of the Germany vs Spain match from our LIVE Blog.
Match Details | Germany vs Spain
Match: Second Semifinal Date: 26/10/2022 Time: 8 pm Ground: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa. How to watch the match: You can watch the match live on FIFA+ App, Voot Select and the Sports18 network in India.
Who said what before the Germany vs Spain match
Kenio Gonzalo, Head coach, Spain U-17 Women's team: "I always say football is a permanent revenge and now we have a great opportunity to play this game against Germany. Last time, that was an intense match. It is a very tough match. We are willing to win this match."
Sandra Villafane, mid-fielder, Spain U-17 Women's team: "We have seen how they play. They have very skilful players and so do we. I think it is going to be a beautiful match. At the end of the day, the team that manages to counter the opponent's skills better will win. Above all, we have a great team. So, I think we will be victorious and we will try our best."
8.00 pm Kick-off | Germany is in attack mode from the first minute. Mara Alber from the left created a chance in the first minute itself.
8.09 pm 9' | Germany's Mara Alber and Spain's Sara Artega fighting for the ball as Mara tries to create spaces from the left wing.
8.11 pm 11' | Attack from Spain. A cross from Vicky Lopez finds Carla Camacho who hits the woodwork.
8.19 pm 19' | GOOOOALLLLLLL. It is Mara Alber with the goal. A left-footed volley from the striker gives Germany an early lead. But it is cancelled by VAR for an off-side.
8.31 pm 31' | Germany is all over Spain but still has not found the net. Mara and Paulina have been great on the left and right respectively.
8.44 pm 44' | Both teams pressing a lot. The front three of both teams have been in excellent form and we can see that within the first half of the match.
8.49 pm 45+4' | A brilliant run by Vicky Lopez gets blocked by German mid-fielder Paulina Planter. Vickey created a lot of space and dribble through the defenders but got blocked by Paulina.
Half-time: Germany 0-0 Spain
9.14 pm 53' | The game is getting more physical every minute. German strikers are getting relentless.
9.18 pm 57' | Marina Rivas took a beautiful turn to dodge the midfielders but finishes it with a weak pass.
9.20 pm 58' | Olaya Enrique takes a beautiful bending free-kick but it just goes over the bar.
9.23 pm 61' | Vicky Lopez makes another beautiful run from the left. But the German defenders know how to tackle that pace.
Spain's Vicky Lopez against Germany's Laura Glonning in the second semifinal of FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022.
9.27 pm 65' | Svea Stoldt takes a try for the goal from outside the box. It was close but not enough to give Germany a lead.
9.31 pm 69' | A free-kick for Spain just from outside the box. Yellow card for Schmidt for the foul. Great chance for Spain.
9.33 pm 71' | Another curving free-kick from Vicky Lopez. But. it is not good enough for Spain.
9.36 pm 75' | Lucia makes her first run after coming on the field. The pass from Lopez is accurate as well. But Lucia could not do justice to that.
9.40 pm 78' | Melina Kruger's cross from the right was looking for Mara Alber in the middle of the box. But, Sofia comes in between them to rescue Spain from any danger.
9.42 pm 80' | A huge brave save from Lina Altenburg. Camacho was one on one against her but she makes a bold move to come out and make the save.
9.47 pm 84' | Chaos in Spain's box. The ball nearly went in and Sofia had to punch the ball out of danger. Still, there were some chances for Germany to score. But, not lucky enough.
9.50 pm 88' | Corner from Vicky Lopez found Lucia but she could not head the correctly to take a late advantage.
9.52 pm 90' | GOOOOALLLLLLLLLL! Substitute Lucia scores the much-needed goal for Spain. A cross from Ainhoa found Lucia in the box who powers the ball past Lina for the goal. Germany 0-1 Spain.
Spain's Lucia Corrales celebrates with her teammates after scoring a late goal against Germany.
9.55 pm 90+2' | A chance for Germany to equalise. But Mathilde could do justice to the run she had made with the ball.
Full time: Germany 0-1 Spain
German goalkeeper Lina Altenburg shakes her hand with Spain's Cristina Libran after their hard fought match in the semifinal of U17 Women's World Cup.
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