Maidens vow to bounce back against USA after Japan drubbing
After a disastrous start to their Under-17 Women’s World Cup with a 0-5 loss to defending champions, Japan, Ghana’s Black Maidens have vowed to recover and bounce back against USA in their second Group D game tomorrow.
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At the at the Prince Mohammed International Stadium in Zarqa, last Saturday, the Maidens suffered their worst defeat at this competition as they were conceded four goals in the first half and a fifth in the second, to all but dim their hope of making it past the group stage at this competition.
While the loss was not completely unexpected, given the Japanese’s form and level of preparation as against that of the Maidens, the 0-5 margin was a huge disappointment and could affect the 2012 bronze medallists and 2014 quarter-finalists in the quest to go through as they may have to fight hard to recover the goals deficit.
That challenge notwithstanding, Coach Evans Adotey, in charge of the Maidens, insists his charges will make amends against USA, who themselves were 6-1 winners over Paraguay in their opening match also played last Saturday.
Coach Adotey, admitted they committed some mistakes and resulted in their conceding some early goals but having assessed his team, they would correct their errors to ensure that they bounce back.
“We conceded easy goals far too quickly. They were simple passes that completely took out our entire defence. We've still got two more games and we're by no means out of the competition yet.
“We'll bounce back against USA and get back to our old strength. I'll learn some lessons from today's game and maybe go back to playing simple football and playing on the break,” Coach Adotey told FIFA.com in a post match interview.
Coach Adotey says they will draw inspiration from their 2012 campaign when they lost the opening game 1-2 against Germany but recovered against Uruguay (5-0) and China 2-0) to progress.
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However, he admits the times are different and the level of preparedness then and now, could make the difference and pose a threat as it showed in their opening game.
Indeed, the Maidens were a pale shadow of themselves, and were 4-0 down in the first half , much to the chagrin of the bench, conceding a goal again in the second half , allowing the defending champions to completely dominate and clearly announced their intention of retaining their title.
Against the USA who were also in dominant form against Paraguay, the Maidens will have to tighten their rear and strengthen their midfield which did not click against Japan.
An early seventh minute goal by Reki Ueki who competely stunned goalkeeper Barikisu Issahaku who was called in as a late replacement for injured Martha Koffie, a brace from Jun Endo (18th, 21st) as well as goals from Saori Takarada (26th) and Remina Chiba (83rd) comfortably paved the way for the Japanese who now are second to USA only by goal difference and could assume the top position with a win against Paraguay in the other game tomorrow.