The young Blue Tigresses have trained for seven to eight months for the mega event.
After facing a wave of ups and downs in the last few months or so, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has successfully managed to get the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in place. The high profile tourney will be played across three venues namely Bhubaneshwar, Goa and Navi Mumbai. India, who are grouped alongside Morocco, USA and Brazil will play their games at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. A sense of fresh air filled with excitement and nervousness can be well sensed in Bhubaneshwar as the city gears up to host the Group A fixtures of the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Let’s dive straight into the preview ahead of India’s opening game against the USA on October 11.
The Stakes
India
The young Blue Tigresses come into the tournament on the back of a long preparation since the start of the calendar year filled with multiple exposure tours. Thomas Dennerby‘s side played friendlies against Sweden and WSS Barcelona Club before landing in Bhubaneswar.
The girls were handed a 3-1 defeat to Sweden before claiming a statement 17-1 win over the WSS Barcelona Club. Although India’s build-up to the tournament has been filled with contrasting results, the girls are high on confidence and will surely put up a strong fight.
USA
The USA are undoubtedly one of the favorites to not just top their group, but also to win the World Cup. They sealed qualification to the tournament after lifting their fifth CONCACAF U-17 Championship. They scored 58 goals and conceded just one throughout the campaign.
Their CONCACAF U-17 triumph was nothing less than a statement of intent to the other nations at the World Cup. Natalia Astrain’s side have already made their intentions clear before coming into the tournament and will want to continue their fine run of form.
Team News
India will miss out on forward Anita Kumari. Meanwhile, USA have a fully fit squad going into the encounter.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever clash between the two sides in the history of the tournament.
Probable Line-ups
India: Monalisha Devi (GK), Astam Oraon (C), Kajal, Purnima Kumari, Shilky Devi, Babina Devi, Nitu Linda, Shailja, Lynda Kom Serto, Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Neha
USA: Victoria Safradin, Gisele Thompson, Alyssa Gonzalez, Cameron Roller, Savannah King, Riley Jackson (C), Lauren Martinho, Charlotte Kohler, Mia Bhuta, Onyeka Gamero, Amalia Villarreal
Players to watch
Lynda Kom Serto (India)
Lynda has been India’s go-to player in front of goal. She finished the SAFF U-18 Championship as the leading goal-scorer with five goals in four games. Moreover, she was also adjudged as the most valuable player of the tournament for her all round performances.
She has grown leaps and bounds in Thomas Dennerby’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Her movements without the ball coupled with her strong aerial ability will give India an added advantage.
Amalia Villareal (USA)
The United States’ wonderkid Amalia Villareal has already made it to the headlines for her out of the world performances. She was the driving force behind USA’s U-17 CONCACAF Championship triumph.
She finished the tournament as USA’s joint leading goal-scorer with eight strikes to her name, including a fifer in a 13-0 demolition of Puerto Rico. Amalia has been a winner all through her life and will want to bring in the same attitude into the World Cup.
