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In a closely contested Group C, meanwhile, the four contenders will be keen to avoid making a false step and endangering their chances of progressing. FIFA.com looks ahead to Saturday’s matches.
Match of the day
Paraguay-Costa Rica, Montreal, 9 August 2014, 20:00 (local time)
Las Albirrojas and Las Ticas kicked off their campaigns with defeats, making this all-Latin American meeting a make-or-break one for both sides. Beaten by New Zealand in their opener, newcomers Paraguay will go out if they lose and France beat the Young Football Ferns in the day’s other match in Group D. After slumping to a 5-1 defeat to the French, their heaviest loss in the competition to date, the Costa Ricans are intent on getting back on track and scoring their first ever U-20 Women’s World Cup win. In their only previous appearance, which came at Germany 2010, Las Ticas went home without winning a point.
The other matches
Following their five-star performance against Costa Rica, section favourites France are out to underline their title credentials with another win, which would take them to the brink of the quarter-finals. Facing Gilles Eyquem’s charges are a New Zealand side buoyed by a 2-0 win over Paraguay, their biggest yet in their five appearances at this competition.
A brace of opening-day draws has left Group C wide open. After recovering from a shaky start against Korea Republic, England will hope to test Mexico’s defensive resolve and post their first win in the competition since 2008.
Thwarted by the determined Mexicans in their opener, Nigeria will be looking to strike duo Asisat Oshoala and Loveth Ayila to show more of a cutting edge against the South Koreans, who relied largely on dead-ball situations to create danger against the English and may look to unfurl the pacy possession football they are more noted for.
Player to watch
In stepping out against Nigeria earlier in the week, Mexico goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago became the 21st player to take part in three separate U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, though she was also an unused member of the Tri squad at Chile 2008, when she was a mere 13-year-old. A full international by the age of 15, Santiago was her side’s saviour in the draw with the Super Falconets, and will hope to continue bringing her experience to bear in a Tri side with designs on reaching the semi-finals of the competition for the first time.
The stat
9 - the number of draws Nigeria have now played out in 27 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup matches, putting them level with Brazil as the competition’s draw specialists.
The words
“I think we’re going to have a tough game against Mexico, but the more we train and the more we come together as a team, the better we’ll be. Our first objective is to make it out of the group phase, and if we play like we did against Korea Republic, we will do it,” England defender Martha Harris.
Match schedule
England-Mexico (Moncton Stadium, 14.00)
Korea Republic-Nigeria (Moncton Stadium, 17.00)
New Zealand-France (Montreal Olympic Stadium, 17.00)
Paraguay-Costa Rica (Montreal Olympic Stadium, 20.00)
(All times local)
Match of the day
Paraguay-Costa Rica, Montreal, 9 August 2014, 20:00 (local time)
Las Albirrojas and Las Ticas kicked off their campaigns with defeats, making this all-Latin American meeting a make-or-break one for both sides. Beaten by New Zealand in their opener, newcomers Paraguay will go out if they lose and France beat the Young Football Ferns in the day’s other match in Group D. After slumping to a 5-1 defeat to the French, their heaviest loss in the competition to date, the Costa Ricans are intent on getting back on track and scoring their first ever U-20 Women’s World Cup win. In their only previous appearance, which came at Germany 2010, Las Ticas went home without winning a point.
The other matches
Following their five-star performance against Costa Rica, section favourites France are out to underline their title credentials with another win, which would take them to the brink of the quarter-finals. Facing Gilles Eyquem’s charges are a New Zealand side buoyed by a 2-0 win over Paraguay, their biggest yet in their five appearances at this competition.
A brace of opening-day draws has left Group C wide open. After recovering from a shaky start against Korea Republic, England will hope to test Mexico’s defensive resolve and post their first win in the competition since 2008.
Thwarted by the determined Mexicans in their opener, Nigeria will be looking to strike duo Asisat Oshoala and Loveth Ayila to show more of a cutting edge against the South Koreans, who relied largely on dead-ball situations to create danger against the English and may look to unfurl the pacy possession football they are more noted for.
Player to watch
In stepping out against Nigeria earlier in the week, Mexico goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago became the 21st player to take part in three separate U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, though she was also an unused member of the Tri squad at Chile 2008, when she was a mere 13-year-old. A full international by the age of 15, Santiago was her side’s saviour in the draw with the Super Falconets, and will hope to continue bringing her experience to bear in a Tri side with designs on reaching the semi-finals of the competition for the first time.
The stat
9 - the number of draws Nigeria have now played out in 27 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup matches, putting them level with Brazil as the competition’s draw specialists.
The words
“I think we’re going to have a tough game against Mexico, but the more we train and the more we come together as a team, the better we’ll be. Our first objective is to make it out of the group phase, and if we play like we did against Korea Republic, we will do it,” England defender Martha Harris.
Match schedule
England-Mexico (Moncton Stadium, 14.00)
Korea Republic-Nigeria (Moncton Stadium, 17.00)
New Zealand-France (Montreal Olympic Stadium, 17.00)
Paraguay-Costa Rica (Montreal Olympic Stadium, 20.00)
(All times local)
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