India were eliminated from the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after a 3-0 loss against Morocco on Friday in Bhubaneswar. Morocco’s scoring were Doha El Madani (51′, P), captain Yasmine Zouhir (62′), and Djennah Cherif (90+1′). After loss with India U17 vs Morocco U17, india get out from the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Thomas Dennerby had made adjustments since the first game loss to the United States, and it manifested on the field. The game got off to a frantic start, with both teams racing end-to-end, everyone squeezing into tackles, India pushing high and Morocco attempting to exploit the space in behind.
FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: India U17 vs Morocco U17
First Half
India possessed pace up front, with Neha on the left, Nitu Linda on the right, and Anita Kumari through the middle, and they led the high press superbly. It almost paid off in the eighth minute, when Anita’s pressure drove Fatima El Ghazouani (heroic in Tuesday’s defeat to Brazil) into a mistake. Nitu took advantage of it and charged at the defense, only to have her shot blocked for a corner, which was then squandered. Three minutes later, Neha curled in a wonderful freekick from out wide that went wide despite missing everyone in the box. India’s pressure continued to provide flashes of opportunity, but the final ball remained elusive.
Morocco, on the other hand, were a continuous danger along the sides, but many of their plays finished with timid efforts from range that little concerned Melody Chanu in the Indian goal, or early crosses with no one in the box to receive them. Melody’s error in the 21st minute, though, allowed Mina El Hamzaoui to take the ball around the keeper, only to be pushed wide. Zouhir thundered a shot off the crossbar and out after her cross back into the box pinballed about.
That was the closest either team came to scoring, as the game ended goalless after an entertaining first half.
Second Half
In the second half, Morocco came out with (even) more determination, pressing their defensive line higher and putting India on the back foot. This paid off in less than five minutes. Shilky Devi slammed into Cherif after a continuous period of pressure, the ball rebounded up, and Naketa parried it away with her arm. El Madani stepped up and calmly delivered it into the corner of the net as the official pointed to the spot without hesitation.
Ten minutes later, Naketa came perilously close to surrendering another goal, but she perfectly timed her challenge on El Madani. Soon after, though, a cross in from Samya Masnaoui was snagged by Chanu, and Zouhir could barely miss from a yard out.
India kept creating movements around the Moroccan box, but the finishing touch was still missing. In the 83rd minute, Anita Kumari rushed in, elected not to pass in a three-on-three position, and fired towards the near post, only for Wissal Titah to save wonderfully with her feet.
Morocco quickly increased the ante as the game was coming to a close. Winning the ball in midfield, Cherif was supplied by a fast through ball, outrunning her opponent, cutting into the box, and slamming a superb finish into the roof of the net.
Earlier, the United States and Brazil drew 1-1, putting both teams on four points. Morocco has three points and a chance to create history, but they will face the strength of the United States in their last group encounter on Monday. Meanwhile, India’s final encounter of the Cup will be against Brazil on Monday at the Kalinga stadium.
