FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Last-eight hopes over for India after 3-0 defeat against Morocco

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Last-eight hopes over for India after 3-0 defeat against Morocco

India lost 3-0 against Morocco in its second Group A match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on Friday. The defeat ends the Blue Tigresses’ quarterfinal hopes in the competition.

Three second-half goals from Doha El Madani, Yasmine Zouhir and Djennah Cherif saw the young Atlas Lionesses earn their first-ever points in an under-17 Women’s World Cup match.

Unlike the opening against the United States of America (USA), India looked more solid at the back with an improved sense of clearing and better marking, especially in the first-half.>>>>>CONTINUE READING HERE>>>>>

Starting with three changes, India head coach Thomas Dennerby replaced Anjali Munda with Keisham Melody Chanu between the sticks, while Babina Lisham started in the middle of the park. Babina put in a good shift in the opening 45 minutes and also donned the role of acting as an extra presence in defence during Morocco’s counter-attacks.

At half-time, India limited Morocco to zero goals with nine interceptions and 18 passes in the attacking third – a significant improvement from the last match against the USA.

India was on course of managing at least a point, but hopes were squashed when a handball by Naketa in the 50th minute gifted Morocco a penalty. El Madani, who was on penalty duty, successfully converted her spot-kick.

The goal acted as a catalyst for the handful of away fans – travelling from France and Morocco – as drums started rolling with the red flag wrapped around them.

Morocco got its second in the 62nd minute. Melody could not hold on to Samya Masnaoui’s cross from the right and skipper Yasmine was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball in.

India came closest to scoring in the competition when Anita Kumari got a through ball in the 83rd minute and was one-on-one with Morocco keeper Wissal Titah who had come off her line. Kumari tried to slot the ball past Titah, but she used her feet to block Anita’s shot and deny India its opening World Cup goal.

Morocco scored its third in second-half injury time with a brilliant counter-attack. Masnaoui’s threaded an accurate through ball for Cherif between two Indian defenders and the latter kept her composure to slot the ball in the net past an outstretched Melody.

The loss ends India’s hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals, with its last match against Brazil being nothing more than a dead rubber. On the contrary, Morocco will listen to its roars of “Maghreb! Maghreb!” on a loop as it looks to build on this win against a strong USA team in its last group-stage match.