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U-17 Women’s W/Cup: Action Kicks Off In Azerbaijan’ Morrow

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It’s going to be a three-week
party, a party on a scale possibly never seen before at a U-17 World Cup
Judging by the sheer enthusiasm of the host nation’s German coach, Sissy Raith,
the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 is shaping up to be an
unmissable event. It certainly has a lot to live up to after the success of the
two most recent editions, but the sparkling line-up for this year’s tournament
– due to unfold between tomorrow and 13 October – suggests that it could indeed
be set to reach new heights.

With Germany, USA, Japan, Korea
DPR, Brazil and Nigeria among the sides in contention, the most formidable
powers in women’s football will be taking part – and competing for the ultimate
prize. The tournament will hardly be short of burgeoning talents either, and
fans can look forward to witnessing the likes of exciting Japanese midfielder
Yui Narumiya, German forward Sara Dabritz and Brazilian schemer Andressa up
close. Fearsome goal machines such as Summer Green of the United States,
Uruguay’s Yamila Badell and Korea DPR’s Ri Un-Sim will likewise be aiming to
set the competition alight.

As it happens, the only major
absentee in Azerbaijan will be Korea Republic, the reigning champions having
only managed to finish fourth in their Asian qualifying campaign. The Taeguk
Ladies will therefore be unable to defend their title, increasing the chances
of a new name on the trophy. Their North Korean neighbours are the only
previous winners in the field, in fact, having claimed victory at the inaugural
edition in New Zealand four years ago.

As those previous tournaments
suggest, Asian sides have held a stranglehold on the FIFA U-17 Women’s World
Cup so far. That was amply demonstrated at Trinidad & Tobago 2010, when all
three contenders from the Far East won their way through to the semi-finals,
prompting FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter to hail the strength of women’s
football in the region. “It’s good news for Asia, but frankly it’s not a
surprise,” he said at the time. “When FIFA began taking an interest in women’s football
in the 1980s, the countries in Eastern Asia were already pioneers in the
discipline. Women’s football has deep roots in the region.”

This time around, it will be Japan,
Korea DPR and China PR looking to continue the tradition, and all three figure among
the favourites. As Asian champions, the Young Nadeshiko can be particularly
ambitious as they tackle their third finals campaign, but the team’s coach
Hiroshi Yoshida is urging caution all the same. “We’re just hoping for six
matches and to reach the final,” he said. “Our goal is to win, but in this type
of competition – especially the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – you can’t predict
anything.”

The United States and Germany are
likely to mount serious challenges as well, with both nations having reached
the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Japan 2012 just over a week ago,
the Stars and Stripes ultimately emerging victorious. They will go into the
tournament desperate to make an impression after failing to qualify two years
ago, while Anouschka Bernhard’s Germany team have a disappointment of their own
to put behind them. The European heavyweights rattled in no fewer than 22 goals
during the group stage two years ago, only to suffer a 1-0 loss to Korea DPR in
the quarter-finals.

Among the other hopefuls on show,
Brazil will be serious contenders with their alluring Jogo Bonito, as will a
France side spurred on by gifted playmaker Sandie Toletti. Nigeria will also be
keen to have their say and boast a squad featuring five players (Sarah Nnodim,
Victoria Aidelomon, Oluchi Ofoegbu, Halimatu Ayinde and Ebere Okoye) who were
also involved two years ago. Meanwhile, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand
and Ghana all have previous experience of the tournament and will be aiming to
reach the semi-finals for the first time. In particular, Ghana will be
bolstered by the presence of defender Ellen Coleman, a veritable veteran at
this level who will be making her third trip to a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

For their part, newcomers Gambia,
Uruguay, China PR and hosts Azerbaijan will be focused on gaining experience in
Odlar Yurdu (the Land of Fire) and springing a few upsets. “We’ll need a small
miracle to come out on top, but in football there are always miracles,”
explained the home side’s coach, Raith. “We’ll see what happens.”

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Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues  

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Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

 

 

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City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road 

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Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

 Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

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PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1 

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Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.

 

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