FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup: India get 8-0 hammering from USA

Bhubaneswar, October 11

India were overwhelmed by a formidable USA in their opening match of the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup as they suffered a 8-0 thrashing in a lopsided Group A match here today.

Reality bit the Indian team as it was toyed with by a technically superior USA who were 4-0 up by the half-hour mark and 5-0 ahead at halftime.

USA pumped in three more goals in the second session to hand a humiliating defeat to the Indians before a sizeable home crowd at the Kalinga Stadium. Melina Rebimbas scored a brace (9th and 31st minute) while Charlotte Kohler (15th), Onyeka Gamero (23rd), Gisele Thompson (39th), Ella Emri (51st), Taylor Suarez (59th) and Mia Bhuta (62nd) struck a goal each for the Concacaf champions.

India head coach Thomas Dennerby had said before the match that his side would be difficult to score against, having prepared well since February but his players were completely clueless and lost the plot on the day. The country’s first match in a women’s World Cup turned out to be a nightmare.

Debutants India, who made it to the age-group showpiece on the basis of being the hosts, were simply run over by USA, who were runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2008 but have not gone past the group stage in three other appearances since then.

The porous Indian defence, including captain Astam Oraon as the left-back, leaked goal after goal while they could not even stitch a proper move. The Americans had more than 70 per cent ball possession in the first half. Dennerby made use of the full quota of five substitutes but India could manage just two shots in the match with none on target. The heavy defeat would put India in a difficult position to qualify for the quarterfinals with two matches left in the group stage — against Morocco and Brazil.

In Group B, Germany beat Nigeria 2-1, while Chile eased past New Zealand with a 3-1 victory.