Denmark and Canada battled to the first scoreless draw of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Hamilton tonight.
With New Zealand beating Colombia 3-1 in Wellington, it was enough for both teams to qualify for the quarterfinals, completing an evening in which every team in Hamilton progressed to the knockout stage.
Denmark, who topped the group on goal difference, now face Korea, while Canada have an equally tough assignment against Germany.
For most of the evening, in front of a crowd of 3283, this was a dour midfield battle, which was seldom worthy of a goal.
And the Canadians, who had not kept up with play in Wellington finished the match glum-faced, believing they had missed out.
There was a delayed reaction as they belatedly discovered they had qualified, which led to group hugs and celebrations back on the pitch.
Dane Linette Andreasen drew a flying save from Canadian keeper Genevieve Richard in the 22nd minute, but was otherwise seldom called upon.
Canada’s Karli Hedlund struck the bar after 32 minutes with a half-hit shot and Nkem Ezurike had a promising penalty shout ignored in the 41st minute after she had beaten Denmark skipper Line Sigvardsen Jensen on the right.
Lamarre side-footed wide in the 72nd minute after more good work by Ezurike down the left.
But generally this was a match with little goalmouth action, and it completed an anti-climactic night, after the wizardry of the Japanese over the previous two match days.
Danish coach Bent Eriksen said his side had reached their objective at the tournament.
“I think it was a good fight from both teams.
“We didn’t play well but were fighting to win this group and we worked very hard, so I think it was okay.
“The Canadian team were working very hard as well.
Eriksen nominated Katrina Veje up front, skipper Line Sigvardsen Jensen and hard-working midfielder Sofie Junge as his stand-out payers.
On meeting Korea PDR in the quarterfinals:
“They are playing very fast and well, We have a couple of days to prepare for this match but it will be very difficult for us.
“But we are very proud for a small country like Denmark to qualify from this group as Number one.”
“This group is very even. All four teams could have gone on with a little bit of luck. I am very happy also New Zealand got a victory today.”
The team had achieved it’s primary aim in the tournament.
“It will be a good party tonight.”
Canadian coach Bryan Rosenfield was also happy with the result
“We were hoping for a win and I felt we were unlucky not to get a goal tonight. But we had a good game plan, and I am very proud of the girls and the way they executed it.
“We just didn’t get the right bounce or chance to get it in the net.”
“It was a midfield battle. I felt we needed to make sure we sealed the midfield up.
Unlike the Danes, the Canadians had no updates of the score in the New Zealand-Colombia game.
On the delay between the end of the game, and belated jubilant Canadian celebrations:
“We actually told the girls they had to win to get through regardless. That’s why they came out with that mentality. As soon as we found out what the other score was and told them, they were absolutely blown away.”
On facing Germany.
“North Korea or Germany, they are both good teams… What we have really got to look at now is we have done a great job to get to the quarters. It’s like I said at the beginning. One game at a time, and we will play accordingly. The girls will have to be at their best to go through. Anything can happen on any given day.
"We will be looking to create more penetrating opportunities and get better quality service into the box.
“If we can do that, and get that more consistently, I think we will create more solid chances.
Photos: Grant Stantiall
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008
Denmark (0)0
Canada (0)0
Waikato Stadium
Hamilton
New Zealand
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Kick-off: 19h00
CAN: 21. Genevieve RICHARD [gk]; 3. Bryanna McCARTHY © (5. Alyscha MOTTERSHEAD 60’), 6. Shelina ZADORSKY (82’), 8. Caroline SZWED (9. Amy HARRISON 84’); 10. Tiffany CAMERON (15. Julia IGNACIO 28’), 11. Karli HEDLUND, 12. Nkem EZURIKE ; 13. Danica WU, 14. Rachel LEMARRE, 16. Alexandra SMITH, 20. Lauren GRANBERG.
Substitutes Not Used:1. Cynthia LEBLANC [rgk], 2. Kayla AFONSO, 4. Marialye LARAMEE-TORTTIER, 7. Annick MALTAIS,17. Nicole MITCHELL, 18. Sabrina D’ANGELO [rgk]. 19. Diamond SIMPSON;
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None.
Coach: Bryan ROSENFELD (CAN)
DEN: 1. lene GISSEL [gk]; 2. Line OSTERGAARD, 3. Line SUGVARDSEN JENSEN ©, 5. Simone BOYE; 7. Sofie JUNGE, 8. Katrine VEJE, 9. Britta OLSEN, 10. Amanda HOHOL;12. Pernille HARDER, 13. Linette ANDREASEN; 19. Camilla CHRISTENSEN;
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Pernille RAMLOV, 11. Liv HAVGAARD NYHEGN, 16. Esther DAM SIMONSEN [rgk], , 20. Nina FRAUSING PEDERSEN, 21. Tanja INGEMAN [rgk]. 17. Anne THIRUP RUDMOSE , 6. Louise BRIX, 18. Michelle MADSEN; 14. Larke LILLELUND MICHAELSON;
Yellow cards: None.
Red cards: None.
Coach: Bryan ERIKSEN(DEN)
Referee: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Jacqueline STEPHENSON (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Jovita QILAMASALA (SOL)
4th official: Kirsi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)
Group A Final Standings:
| MP |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
Pts |
|
| Denmark |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|||
| Canada |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|||
| Colombia |
|||||||
| New Zealand |
0 |