By Nengi Ernest
Germany recorded their first victory in the ongoing FIFA U-20 women’s world cup in Costa Rica with a convincing 3-0 win over New Zealand.
It was looking like business as of the first game for the Germans as their toiling all through the first stanza of the game proved abortive – New Zealand resiliently showed character to keep the game favourite at bay with discipline and determination at the back line.
The second half took an opposite outcome of the first as the German ladies’ dominance paid off in the 58th minute – Ria Clara Flohric gave the German side a 1-0 lead to breathe into her team some sigh of relief. Six minutes later, Sophie Weidauer converted from the spot to secure her team lead.
The Kiwi ladies were keen on cutting Germany’s lead but were lacking in the final third as they couldn’t push the German defence beyond their limit in creating a goal for themselves in full regulation time.
Germany added salt to the injury of their opponents in the 4th minute of added time as GIA Cymone Corley struck the third of the day for her side to finish up a well-built-up play.
Following this, New Zealand with this result is seated rock bottom of group B with two defeats in two games.
In another game, Brazil in a rain-soaked game handed Australia a 2-0 defeat. The Samba girls opened the scoring in the 26th minute courtesy of Priscilla Flor Da Silva who hit her second ball hard after her first shot fell off an Australian defender. The match had a temporary pause due to heavy downpour suspended due to a heavy downpour and after a rapid response by the pitch managers, the players stepped back to the field to continue the game.
The second half of the game opened with a goal in the 46th minute as it took only sixty seconds for a substitute, Aline Gomes Amaro, to add to the tally.
Earlier, Mexico played out a barren draw against Colombia.
With the biggest win of the tournament, Spain has six points, with a better goal difference than Brazil and Australia.
Hosts, Costa Rica becomes the first team to be eliminated in the tournament after two defeats – losing second to Spain, 5-0.
The Spanish side opened the floodgate of goals with Sonia Majarin’s 26th-minute strike. Ariadna Minguezza scored in the 33rd minute after taking advantage of a rebound as they went into the halftime break on a two-goal lead.
Spain registered their third goal in the 62nd minute through Imma Gabarro of Sevilla Women FC.
The Lopez Pedro-led girls further proved insatiable with the earlier three goals as they added two via Ane Elexpuru in the 74th minute and Salma Paralluelo at the death of the game – 94th to leave the host nation devastated.
Group A– Brazil, Spain (each on 4 points), Australia (3 points) Costa Rica (0/point)
Group B- Germany (3 points), Colombia (4 points), Mexico (2 points) New Zealand(1 point )