FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – USA THROUGH AS FRANCE EXIT

AUCKLAND – The USA secured a 1-1 draw with France that propels them into the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008. A sublime strike by USA striker Vicki DiMartino on 57 minutes helped set coach Kazek Tambi’s team on their way to a runners-up finish in Group C that see them through to last eight alongside rampant Japan.

France will lament a number of missed chances with outstanding midfielder Lea Rubio striking Taylor Vancil’s crossbar with a swerving long range shot after just 8 minutes. DiMartino nearly seized the lead for the USA just four minutes later Courtney Verloo broke free on the left and crossed only for Laetitia Phillipe to make the save to keep the scores level.

Rubio was in the thick of the action on 23 minutes when she thundered another long range shot at Vancil forcing the USA goalkeeper into another good save low to her left. The small midfielder made her presence known when she crafted the best move of the first half. Rubio played clever interchange of passes with Marine Auguis before swinging in a dangerous cross that was flicked on by Pauline Crammer. Camille Catala – lurking at the far post – stole ahead of her marker but Vancil was there to deny France yet again.

The USA created only two half-chances in an open first half, the first a wayward header by Amber Brooks, the second a rasping long range drive by Kristie Mewis that struck the face of the France crossbar with goalkeeper Laetitia Phillipe left stranded.

USA started the second half searching aggressively for the opening goal knowing France would require two to stay in the tournament. That goal nearly arrived just one minute after the restart when Brooks powerful header was cleared off the line by the well-placed Caroline La Villa. France had another near miss minutes later when USA substitute Sam Mewis’s shot from an acute angle forced Phillipe into a save at the near post.

USA’s wait for the goal they desperately wanted ended when Vicki DiMartino scored with an audacious left foot shot from wide on the left of the France penalty area on 57 minutes. It was a well-placed effort with enough power and swerve to defeat the back-pedalling Phillipe.

France were shell-shocked and Kristie Mewis nearly doubled her team’s lead with a superb shot just a minute later with Phillipe this time on hand to save and keep France’s World Cup hopes alive.

Rubio gave notice that her shoot-on-sight policy was still in effect with yet another deadly accurate long range drive that forced a good save from Vancil. Rubio finally got the better of the USA custodian with a 35 metre shot that gave Vancil no hope. But Vancil had the last say in the dual when she easily saved Rubio’s close range header in injury time to book USA’s place in the last eight.

Vancil was ecstatic with the result and rated it the USA’s top effot at New Zealand – 2008.

"This was our best performance by far and we’re hoping to keep improving game by game. Our defence was solid and we’ve got the result we needed. But there’s a lot more to come from us and I’m sure you’ll see better from us in our next game," Vancil said.

France coach Gerard Sergent blamed his team’s heavy loss to Japan for their tournament demise.

"It was a good performance, but it’s not enough. We had a good response from the players today but it was that second game against Japan that killed us at this tournament. I think this has been this tournament’s ‘group of death’," Sergent said.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008

France (0) 1 (6. Lea RUBIO 72’)

North Harbour Stadium

Attendance: N/A

USA: 18. Taylor VANCIL [gk]; 3. Amber BROOKS; 4. Crystal DUNN; 6. Cloee COLOHAN (c); 7. Courtney VERLOO; 8.Vicki DiMARTINO; 10. Kristie MEWIS; 13. Julia ROBERTS (2. Lexi HARRIS 90’+3), 17. Rachel QUON 19.Elizabeth EDDY (11. Sam MEWIS 35’ (9. Sam JOHNSON 85’); 20. Olivia KLEI.

Substitutes not used: 1.Alexa GAUL [rgk]; 5.Erika TYMARK;; 12. Hayley BROCK; 14. Mandy LADDISH ;15. Kate BENNETT; 16. Morgan BRIAN; 21. Jenn PETTIGREW [rgk].

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Coach: Kazbek TAMBI (USA)

FRA: 1. Laetitia PHILIPPE [gk]; 3. Caroline LA VILLA; 5. Anaig BUTEL; 6. Lea RUBIO; 7. Ines JAURENA; 8. Charlotte POULAIN; 9. Pauline CRAMMER; 10. Solene BARBANCE (13. Rose LAVAUD 90’+1); 12. Marine AUGIS (17. Kelly PERDRIZET 86’); 14. Kelly GADEA; 20. Camille CATALA (11. Marina MAKANZA 46’).

Substitutes not used: 2. Floriane HELLIO; 4. Adeline ROUSSEAU;; 15. Charlene OLIVIER; 16. Solene CHAUVET [rgk]; 18. Justine DUBOIS; 19. Cindy THOMAS;  21. Laura GUILLEUX [rgk];

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Coach: Gerard SERGENT (FRA)

Referee: Silvia REYES (PER)

Assistant Referee 1: Maria BARBOSA (BRA)

Assistant Referee 2: Cleidy Mary RIBEIRO (BRA)

4th Official: Pannipar KAMNUENG (THA)

Group C

Final Standings – 05.11.08