NAVI MUMBAI: Spain laboured to a 1-0 win as they booked a ticket for the quarterfinals from Group C in the Under-17 Women's World Cup at the DY Patil stadium on Tuesday.
Marina Artero scored from a header off a corner, the ball barely bouncing in off the bar. Spain have six points but Colombia dismantled Mexico 2-1 in Goa and ensured that they take the top spot in the group with six points, better goal difference and by virtue of having beaten Spain.
China had a one-dimensional approach to the game - park their bus in defence and hope for a goal. Spain were all over China in the first period, and the dominance was so prominent that a layman would have been excused to think football is played in only one half. The goal came on the hour, unsurprisingly from a corner. But China stunned the Spanish defence when Huang JX toe-poked the ball in but it was ruled off-side. Spain were awarded a late penalty, but after a check it was changed as no foul was committed.
Tanzania draw to qualify
One can always trust an African team to find a way to qualify. No hard-nosed tactical nuances, just plain hard running at the ball and find the easiest route to the goal. It was this approach that helped Tanzania find an equaliser against Canada and qualify after a 1-1 draw in Group D. They finished with four points, second behind Japan who defeated France to emerge the group toppers with nine points. Canada scored from a penalty when Anabelle Chukwu, trying to wriggle past two defenders, was brought down.
Amanda Allen scored from the spot. Perhaps, being down by a goal brought out the character in the Tanzanian girls. First, they hunted down every ball, rattling the Canadian team. The immediate impact of such an approach was Canada became apprehensive. Twenty two minutes after Canada's 13th minute strike, Veronica Mapunda scored from a corner.
