France in must-win match against New Zealand

France must secure a win today in order to make the final top eight that will head into the quarter finals of the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

The European team will take on New Zealand at 4pm local time at Bava Park in the last match of the Group C round.

France is behind New Zealand by one point on the group ladder sitting in third place with two points.

New Zealand is second on three points behind leaders the United States on four points.

France is yet to register a win in the tournament with two draw matches against USA nil all in the first match and 2-2 against Ghana in the second match.

New Zealand has one win, against Ghana 1-0 in the first match, and a loss to USA 3-1 in its second match.

If the match ends up in a draw, New Zealand will have the upper hand as it has obtained more points (3 points) in the group matches ahead of France (2 points).

France will be banking on forwards Delphine Cascarino and Clara Mateo who are the only goal scorers so far in the tournament scoring in the match against Ghana. 

The French team will also be hoping for goals from key players Marie-Charlotte Leger, Thea Greboval, Pauline Dhaeyer, Juliane Gathrat, Maelle Garbino and Sakina Karchaoui to take them to victory.

New Zealand boasts extensive experience at international level and will be banking on scorers from the previous matches Tayla Christensen and Isabella Coombes to get them through.

The Oceania team also boasts the experience of Jasmine Pereira and Daisy Cleverley who were in the squad for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

USA has nothing to lose when they take on Ghana in the other match for Group C which kicks off also at 4pm local time at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

Ghana, on one point, will also be hoping for a win to make it through to the quarter finals depending on the result of the New Zealand and France match. 

Author: 
Quintina Naime