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Ghana hold holders USA to a suprise draw
The opening games in Groups C and D on the second matchday at the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 in Germany saw holders USA in action for the first time.
However, Jill Ellis and her team were surprisingly held to a draw by tournament newcomers Ghana, the first time the North Americans have failed to win their opening match at a Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
The holders always go into the next tournament with the burden of expectation upon their shoulders, and the meeting between the USA and Ghana was no exception.
However, the Black Princesses were never likely to surrender the points without a fight, as their record of no goals conceded in four qualifying matches for Germany 2010 amply demonstrated. That impressive record spoke volumes about the Ghana defence, and the USA duly struggled to create worthwhile openings for long periods.
Elsewhere, the opening match in Group D saw Switzerland inexplicably perform far below expectations and suffer a morale-sapping defeat.
Choi In-Chul’s inspired Korea Republic side put four goals without reply past the Swiss, who have yet to win a match at the tournament.
In Group C, England and Nigeria fought tooth and nail for every inch of ground. Both teams favoured offensive tactics and amply justified their place among the 16 best in the world. Kerys Harrop handed the English a first-half lead, but Desire Oparanozie levelled after the break to earn the Africans a share of the spoils.
The fans were treated to a torrent of goals in the second Group C encounter. Mexico and Japan thrilled the crowds with their expansive attacking flair and ended up sharing six goals.
Megumi Takase opened for the Asians on 19 minutes, but Renae Cuellar (31), Charlyn Corral (41) and Nayeli Rangel (45) scored for Mexico in an explosive period before the break.
The unlucky Cuellar brought the Japanese back into it with an own goal on 64 minutes, and Mana Iwabuchi struck two minutes from time to rescue a point for her side.
Source: FIFA.com
