The match against Morocco could be the deciding factor for India’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
On the eve of their match against Morocco in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in Bhubaneswar, India team players are seen during a training session.
On the eve of their match against Morocco in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in Bhubaneswar, India team players are seen on their training session. BISWARANJAN ROUT/THE HINDU
The match against Morocco could be the deciding factor for India’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
India will look to improve on its disastrous start against the United States of America (USA) when it faces Morocco in its second group-stage match of the FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup on Friday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The Blue Tigresses, making their World Cup debut, were thrashed 8-0 by Natalia Astrain’s USA, with five goals coming in the first 39 minutes of play.
“We stick to the plan that we’re trying to do, whatever we can do in the next game, and if we win against Morocco, there’s still a chance,” Indian coach Thomas Dennerby said of the team’s chances of making the knockout rounds.
The team does well not to concede early goals and to draw on the energy of the raucous home crowd, which has been stunned into silence by the American carnage.
Despite the fact that the odds are heavily stacked against India, there is still a slim chance of qualifying for the last eight.
Dennerby’s team will need to work on their poise and passing from the back, which was not only exposed but harshly punished by the USA.
The team trained hard in its final practice session before the game, showing no signs of the lingering effects of Tuesday’s humiliation.
India is expected to switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-1-4-1 formation, putting high pressure on the opposition with Lynda Kom Serto at the head of the attack.
The host, who previously practiced triangular passing drills, focused more on circular passes to keep the formation fluid and the play moving quickly.
However, if Anthony Rimasson’s Morocco presses high, these circular passes may lead to interceptions in counterattacks, causing problems for India, similar to the passage of play that led to Onyeka Gamero’s strike against the US.
Despite the loss, Anjali Munda is expected to start in goal, with the Jharkhand girl playing in the starting XI in the first practice.
Coach Dennerby wants his players to enjoy the moment and not be intimidated by the magnitude of the occasion. “I talked with the girls about it when I was in the locker room for a few minutes after” (full-time against the USA). And I told them, ‘Girls, the sun will come up in India tomorrow anyway.’ And if we have a sleepless night, we will not perform better,” he said. “I’ll be there tomorrow morning, smiling, supporting, and encouraging them in any way I can.”
Concerning India’s adversary
Morocco defended well against a counter-attacking Brazil, allowing just one goal. It is expected to have a double pivot in attack against India, with Yasmine Zouhir and Doha el Madani operating from either side.
“We’ve worked hard together, so we want to present the best image of Morocco.” The host country is accustomed to the weather and the pitch, and they will have home fans cheering them on. “Although our team is prepared, all games will be difficult because they all have different styles of play,” Rimasson said.
Morocco looked for headers from set-pieces in the final practice before the match and is expected to take the long ball approach – aerial crosses from midfield to strikers in front – against India’s high-press.
The other matches
In the other match, Group A heavyweights Brazil and the United States of America will square off.
Natalia’s team did not train the day after their commanding victory, whereas Brazil did.
“The players on the roster are very humble,” Natalia said. “The next goal is to take it one step at a time.” Nobody will think this is going to be easy now that they’ve won. I guarantee you that some of them will ask to continue playing the same way in the recovery practice tomorrow.”
For Brazil, No. 9 Johnson will be the focal point of the attack, with Aline and Carol pulling the strings in midfield. However, the team will be cautious about tracking back on time, as demonstrated in its game against Morocco.
The United States focused on endurance training, indicating a fast-paced and high-intensity football that would give Brazil a run for its money.
In the other two matches (on Matchday 2), Germany will face Chile, both of whom won their opening matches, and Nigeria will face New Zealand, which finished third in the tournament four years ago.
Both games will be held at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa.
Match Schedule for October 14th
- Brazil vs. USA – 4:30 p.m. kickoff
- India vs. Morocco – 8:00 p.m. kickoff
- New Zealand vs. Nigeria – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – 4:30 p.m. kickoff
- Germany vs. Chile – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – 8:00 p.m. kickoff
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