Black Maidens of Ghana who suffered 5-0 pummeling in the hands of Japan in their first game at the 2016 FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup ongoing in Jordan are now laughing having reached the quarter-finals of the tournament thanks to Saturday’s win over Paraguay and are the only African team that made it into the second round of the tournament despite the team’s disastrous start in the tournament.
Captain of the side Sandra Owusu Ansah in jersey number 10 led by exemplary leadership – just as the way she did in the second game against the USA – by scoring an absolute cracker of a volley in the 68th minute.
Ghana created several chances especially in the first half but failed to convert any of those opportunities into goals until the 68th minute when the genius of Owusu Ansah arrived as Paraguay offered lesser competition for the Maidens from West Africa.
In the the game Japan defeated the USA 3-2 to maintain their 100% record to top the group – three wins out of three games.
Ghana had five shots on target against three of Paraguay and the Maidens dominant play in the Paraguay half won eleven (11) corners for Evans Adotey’s side. In terms of consistency and dominance this was the best game of Ghana in the tournament.
Ghana starting line up – GK Kayza Massey (Soccer United, Canada) ; Blessing Agbomadzi (Sport Academy, Ghana) , Cecilia Hagan (Bafana Ladies, Ghana),Philicity Asuako (Samaria Ladies, Ghana),Grace Asantewaa (Ampem Dakoa Ladies, Ghana), Rafia Kulchire (Hasaacas Ladies, Ghana), Gifty Acheampong (Immigration Ladies, Ghana), Sandra Owusu-Ansah (Supreme Ladies, Ghana), Mary Entoah (Police Ladies, Ghana), Adizatu Mustapha (Soccer Intellectual Ladies, Ghana), Fuseina Mumuni (Lepo Stars).
Ghana lock horns with North Korea in the quarter-finals on the 13th October in Irbid. Meanwhile Japan who topped group are up against England in another interesting parings int he knockout round.
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