Ghana stormed through Group A of the 2018 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 100 per cent record after beating New Zealand 2-0 Tuesday night.
The Black Maidens had beaten hosts Uruguay 5-0 in the tournament opener and won 3-1 against Finland before wrapping up their group stage play as top spot occupants with another set of goals – a brace – from Captain Mukarama Abdulai at Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo.
The match was all about placement, with both having confirmed their quarter-final qualification last matchday out.
The first half was played rather evenly, with Amelia Abbott producing the game’s first significant chance when she attempted a half-volley which flew over the crossbar.
Grace Animah forced Anna Leat into making an excellent save midway through the half. The Kiwis’ goalkeeper did well to tip her shot over the crossbar while she ran backwards towards her goal.
Ghana captain and current golden boot leader Abdulai opened the scoring in the 61st minute when she ran on to a long ball lofted over the New Zealand backline before controlling the ball after the bounce and directing her shot past Leat into the bottom corner of the net.
Abdulai doubled Ghana’s lead shortly before the full-time whistle, with a driven shot into the near top corner past Leat, to bring her tournament tally to six goals in three matches.
Ghana will stay at their new found stomping grounds – Montevideo – for the quarterfinals where the Maidens will face Mexico on Sunday, November 25.
The Black Maidens have qualified for the last eight for the fourth consecutive time at a U-17 Women’s World Cup. Their best performance in tournament history came in 2012 when they finished in third place.
As Group A runners-up, New Zealand will take on Japan in Colonia Del Sacramento on Saturday 24 November. The Kiwis will be competing in the knockout stage of a U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time this weekend.
Ghana’s Grace Animah was named Player of the match.
