Photo credit: FIFA via Getty Images
A classy Canada outfit has beaten Fiji 9-0 at Estadio Atanasio Girardo, all but likely securing the Oceania sides exit at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024.
All the damage was done in the opening half with forward Annabelle Chukwu scoring the first hat-trick of the tournament, as the North American side put seven goals past the Fijians.
Despite an attacking onslaught in the second period, Fiji showed resilience, fighting hard and creating a couple of chances off the back of some counterattacks.
Canada pushed hard to add to their tally late on in the match, but like she did against Brazil, 15-year-old goalkeeper Aliana Vakaloloma pulled off some terrific saves to deny their opponents.
“It’s another level to this soccer world,” said Fiji midfielder Talei Moodie.
“This is our first appearance here so it was likely we were going to get challenged in this way and face things we hadn’t faced before but it’s a really good learning experience, and I believe it’s going to give us motivation.”
Head coach Angelina Chua was proud of her team’s “courageous” effort in the second-half and hopes to carry that into their final match of the tournament against France on Saturday.
“We regroup, we want to improve always from the last game,” said Chua.
“We play football to score goals, so that will still remain our objective.”
Fiji: 0
Canada: 9 (Olivia SMITH 7′, 28′ Annabelle CHUKWU 24′, 34′, 41′, Kayla BRIGGS 32′, 35′, Ella McBRIDE 67′, Ella OTTEY 54′)
Half time: 7-0