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The Korea DPR celebrates after defeating Japan in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Jordan 2016 Final match between Korea DPR and Japan at Amman International Stadium on October 21, 2016 in Amman, Jordan. (Photo by Steve Bardens-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
AMMAN, October 22, 2016 -- The first female world cup in the Middle East drew to a close with Jordan showing its organisational might and asserting itself as a contender to host another such tournament.
The tournament was special for many reasons including its empowering message to women in this region and worldwide. The pitch proved to be a place for history to unfold as four players from the Jordan squad appeared in an official FIFA tournament wearing a hijab.
Jordan was a playground for 16 dreams. Host country Jordan and Cameroon took part in the U17 action for the very first time with Venezuela, Korea DPR, Spain and Japan being the last teams standing on the final day.
Other Latin teams could not make it so the cup came down to an all-Asian final, a third appearance for each finalists.
Spain, runners-up in 2014 in Costa Rica, beat the Vinotinto 4-0 to seal third place.
Three out of the four previous tournaments had seen an Asian victory in the final. An evenly-matched game ended in a 0-0 draw. Japan missed a penalty shot, opening the way for a historic second U-17 victory in U17 history for Korea DPR.
Supporters waving Korea DPR flags erupted in celebration. This was the first match in this tournament decided by penalties.
Goals
The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup proved an appropriate stage for players to show off their talents.
Venezuela's Deyna Castellanos now holds the U17 World Cup record for most goals (11 in two editions). She scored several superb goals including a shot from the halfway line against Cameroon only a few seconds after Alexandra Takounda’s backheel strike.
But the most meaningful goal was scored by Jordan’s Sarah Abu Sabah against Mexico. Abu Sabah ran and shot from outside the penalty box to score Jordan’s first goal ever in FIFA finals play and the celebration made headlines.
Facilities
Tatjana Haenni, FIFA's head of women's competitions, told AIPS the tournament would bring a lasting benefit to the infrastructure in Jordan's four host stadiums.
Amman, Zarqa and Irbid now have FIFA-qualified stadiums and Jordan now has 14 training sites. Haenni explained this would not only help the women's team but would also assist the men's national team as they continue to train and improve in the coming years. Salah Sabra, chairman of the local organising committee, said the goal was to attract families to the stadium.
Legacy
FIFA's Live Your Goals programme in Jordan will ensure women's football is supported beyond the tournament.
The lead-up to the program also included a trophy tour, with a stop at the Al Za'atari Syrian Refugee Camp to help inspire the girls living within the boundaries of their fenced-in home.
The legacy programme includes work with Prince Ali Asian Football Development Project. FIFA says hundreds of girls have been introduced to football so far and that the Live Your Goals programme will continue even though the finals have concluded.
As children, women and families have witnessed competitive football here in Jordan on the world stage, the excitement and energy can continue for years to come.
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FIFA U-17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP, JORDAN 2016
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