2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

Although Japan provided stiff opposition for the reigning champions, a direct penalty kick conceived by Maria Caldentey from a hand ball by Hisui Haza ultimately gave Spain a fairly comfortable victory.

As is so often the case, Japan struck at the opening minutes in the first half with several attempts by skipper Ruka Norimatsu culminating Japans circuit on the pitch but Spain backliners could not allow Japan forwards through as both teams went off for break at nil all.

Korea DPR is the only team now undefeated in Group A after a defensive knock out of Brazil 4-2.

Brazil will be left guessing what happened after the drinks break in the first half, when Korea scored 3 goals in the space of 10 minutes to take a 4-1 lead into the half time break.

PRK defender Sol Gyong U scored in the 19 minute from a corner kick after the Brazilians failed to clear the ball in front of their goal mouth.

But the South Americans retaliated after 8 minutes as the DPR defenders made the same mistake to clear the ball from a corner kick.

This is after round one of the Group competition.

The 20-year-old made her debut in the World Cup, scoring three goals to help her team to victory against Nigeria on Sunday, November 13, at the Bava Park, Port Moresby.

She scored alongside teammate Yuka Momiki, who scored two goals, in the match against Nigeria.

Players running second with two goals so far in the tournament are Momiki, Germany’s Madeline Gier, Lucía García of Spain and three players from the Brazil team; Brena, Gabi Nunes and Yasmim.

The last time they met was during the final group-stage game at Canada in 2014 where the Asian side secured a crucial 2-1 victory.

This time, Mexico had the upper hand with more technique.

Mexico scored through Jacqueline Crowther and Kiana Palacios both in the second half.

The first half was a tough encounter where both teams displayed tough defense.

Mexico had more possession of the ball right throughout the match while Korea Republic only had 44 percent ball possession.

New Zealand defeated Ghana 1-0 at the PNG Football Stadium in Papua New Guinea’s capital.

 In the first pool match, United States of America and France drew scoreless at the same venue.

The match between Ghana and New Zealand was physical and divided the vocal crowd of 2, 877 people.

However, the Oceania champions humbled the African zone country with a heartbreaking loss when substitute striker Tayla Christensen scored at the stroke of normal time.

Adding dismay to both teams was the hot temperature of Port Moresby testing the fitness level of both teams in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup staged in Papua New Guinea. 

USA made the first attempt to score a goal but France goal keeper Mylene Chavas made a crucial move to deny USA talented striker and captain, Mallory Pugh who had only the keeper to beat 15 metres out of the goal mark.

The only chance for the France ladies came at the second half for a free penalty kick outside the 15 meter box.

The Germans defeated Venezuela 3-1 in the first match for Group D on Day Two in front of 1 858 supporters.

Germany wasted no time opening up the score board through Madeline Gier with the first goal just two minutes into the game.

Venezuela fought back after 23 minutes to level the score 1-1 through Mariana Speckmaier.

16 minutes later Venezuela's Idalys Perez again attempted to score from a back flip kick few meters out but failed to find the net.

Brazil scored through Duda, Gabi Nunes, Brena, Yasmim, Katrine and Geyse.

The home team played hard in front of a sold out crowd of 12,547 supporters but lacked attack as the Brazilians took charge in the first five minutes, scoring their first goal 1-0 through Duda.

Five minutes later, Gabi Nunes found the net, scoring the visitors' second goal 2-0.

The Brazilians were on fire and wasted no time scoring their third goal through Brena 3-0 in the 17th minute.

A penalty against PNG's Margaret Joseph for tripping Brena gave Brazil a free kick.

Nigerian coach Peter Dedevbo, in the post match conference, said despite his team going down by a huge margin this evening, they will come back stronger in their next match.

He said he did anticipate such a goal margin from a side that has been together for a long time.

This evening's match saw Japan power house duo Yuka Momiki and Mami Ueno score three goals each while an embarrassing home goal by Nigeria's Mary Ologbosere gave her opponents that 7-0 win.

Japan had 68 percent ball possession against Nigeria's 32 percent.

Japan's No. 10 Yuka Momiki and No.18 Mami Ueno scored three goals each, while  Nigeria scored one goal into their own net. 

Leading by 2 in the first half, Japan continued its firey form in the second half in front of a crowd of 1,651. 

Going into the second half with 66 percent ball possession, Japan was awarded an early penalty in front of Nigerian goal mouth seven minutes into the second half. 

Japan's Momiki scored her second goal for the night in the 51st minute, expanding their lead 3-0.