And we're off to the Final! U-17 Women's World Cup: 4/1/2014.

Dominating performances in both fixtures of the Semi Final stage down in Costa Rica as Japan hammered Venezuela 4-1 with the Asian ladies making it 0-2 by the half. Fuka Nagano and Nana Ichise were the strikers on form early on, scoring in the 13th and 33rd minutes respectively. The South Americans, making it to this stage for the first time in their country's history, were simply outdone as the Japanese controlled possession with 59% of the ball and double the strikes as their opponents. Going into the second half, Rikako Kobayashi won through the defense in the 52nd minute, striking past the demoralized Franyely Rodriguez in the Venezuelan goal. Making it 0-3, Hina Sugita followed up by converting her penalty in the 63rd minute of the game. By way of consolation, Venezuela were able to make it 1-4 in the 2nd minute of stoppage time of the second half through Deyna Castellanos. The Latina Americans should be proud of what they accomplished in Costa Rica in this tournament, making it to the Semi Finals was much more than they would have ever believed possible. Japan were justifiable winners, and they will face Spain in the Final of the World Cup while Italy take on Venezuela for third.

In that other Semi Final fixture, the Italians were able to hold the Spaniards into the second half following a tense first half. While the Italians actually had ever so slender leads as far as shot opportunities and shots on target were concerned, the Spanish held a sliver more possession than their opponents: 51% to 49%. The Italian defense let their side down though, fouling twice in the goal box to provide Spain the two chances they needed to claim victory. The first came in the 48th minute off the foot of Sandra Hernandez while, with nine minutes to play, Nahikari Garcia made it 0-2 in the 81st minute. Francesca Durante was, as always, in terrific form, and the third place match should be just as brilliant as the Final.

Speaking of the final two matches of the U-17 tournament, Japan-Spain in the showpiece game will be an enthralling one. I would love to see the Asian's claim victory, as they should outscore the Spanish if it comes down to it. If the Spaniards begin getting flustered, I wouldn't be surprised if they begin breaking down - both in terms of discipline and defensively - while Japan have a solid head on their shoulders and a good set of feet at the ends of their legs. A great deal will depend on whether or not Spain goalkeeper Elena De Toro can hold up to the firepower of Japan (particularly Hina Sugita and Yui Hasegawa). At the same time, Spain's Nahikari Garcia is the main threat though Pilar Garrote has scored three times in this tournament, though she isn't the most consistent. If Mamiko Matsumoto can keep her amazing form in the Japanese goal, and players such as Shiho Matsubara and Nana Ichise perform at the level they have been, the Europeans may see all their hard work thus far go up in smoke. Between Venezuela and Italy, I would pick the South Americans to win. Essentially replaying their final group stage match-up, I don't think much has changed between then - when the Venezuelans edged their opponents 1-0 - and now. I just hope both sides have spirit remaining to make it as interesting a game as it could be. The Italian defense will give the Latin Americans a headache, but Deyna Castellanos and Gabriela Garcia should be able to get through at least once. It would be great to see Yuleisi Rivero get some pitch time, but I think she'll only come on if the Venezuelans cement a fantastic lead. Expect a post about the Champions League later this week as well!

U-17 Women's World Cup: 3/28/2014

Breathtaking is a good word to describe the fixtures that we saw today as Venezuela took on Canada, Ghana faced Italy, Japan fought Mexico, and Spain were paired with Nigeria. As expected, the first of these showdowns was a tight affair as the Latin Americans went ahead in the 6th minute through Deyna Castellanos before the Canadians drew level in the 19th minute. The North Americans then proceeded to make it a 1-2 lead following Marie Levasseur's strike in the 40th minute. Sarah Kinzner was the one who put the maple leaves on even pegging. Fortunately for Venezuela, Yosneidy Zambrano made it 2-2 three minutes after Levasseur's strike meaning the two sides went into the break dead even. It wasn't to last though, as Gabriela Garcia struck a third goal for the Venezuelans, propelling them into the Semi Finals. Canada performed bravely, but despite their stellar effort, they must bow out as the Latin Americans' guns continue to crush all that stand before them.

As for the match-up of Ghana and Italy, the Africans were outplayed yet still managed to force penalties. Striking early through Jane Ayieyam in the 4th minute, Ghana got off to a great start. Ending the game with 58% of possession, you could very well have thought the Italians were the side that would be going out. You would be wrong. Gloria Marinelli equalized in the 8th minute followed closely by a successfully converted penalty off of the foot of Italy's Manuela Giugliano. Honestly, if it had not been for goalkeeper Francesca Durante in particular, the Europeans would be bowing out. While the Italians had 14 shots, Ghana had 20. While each side had more than 50% of these efforts on target, Ghana received 12 corner opportunities - 6 times more than the Italians took from their African opponents. Defensive solidarity, then, saved the Italians. Except Ghana did strike a second, in the 90th minute of play, through Ernestina Abambila. After that, it was down to penalties with the best keeper, and the slightly better team, winning: Italy.

As the last Asian representatives in the competition, you might think that the pressure is on the Japanese ladies to perform. You wouldn't think it after their performance today. Simply put, they blew the Mexicans out of the water. Rather than risking penalty disappointment, the Japanese thankfully charged forward. The two goal cushion that they earned in the 1st half, through Yui Hasegawa in the 12th minute and Hina Sugita in the 44th, was enough to carry them through. Maintaining great pressure, Mexico only occasionally ever looked threatening. Japan averaged 68% of possession and more than quintuple the chances in front of goal as their Latin American competition. A feast of a game, the fact that there were no bookings indicates the caliber of the sides on display: world-class talent playing good clean football.

Last but not least we have Nigeria versus Spain. Fitting with my prediction, the Africans did not go belly up at the sight of the Spaniards. Rather, they conceded in the 14th minute of play before settling down and taking a slight majority of possession. It was to no avail, but it was well-intended. Patri Guijarro was the player to strike the opening and closing goals, on either side of Nahikari Garcia's 58th goal that really got the Nigerian defenses crumbling. While the Nigerians fought hard, it was always a losing battle. Desperation began to seep in, as Ugochi Emenayo and Esther Elijah received yellows. A sore spot for the Spanish was the fact that defender Pilar Garrote received a second yellow in two matches, meaning she will be missed in the match-up with Italy next Monday.

Speaking of the Semi Finals, Venezuela and Japan promises to be an entertaining affair while Spain-Italy will be more tentative. By the goals tally alone, the Latin American-Asian pairing should be differentiated by a one or two point spread. Japan are who I would like to see go through, but if Venezuela can keep the goals fountain flowing, they just might overpower the Asians. Having said that, Japan has refused to conceded thus far in the competition, and I wouldn't put it past the likes of Mamiko Matsumoto in goal and Nana Ichise on the back line to maintain that clean sheet. It will not be easy, but nothing worth having is. As for the all-European encounter, Spain should be able to outplay the Italians, though Italy's goalie Francesca Durante will be a hard nut to crack. I fear the Spanish might just have the right tools in Nahikari Garcia, Pilar Garrote, and Patri Guijarro though. Make sure to check out the games next week!

Rounding up in Africa Qualifying: 11/16/2013

Amidst all of the excitement of European and South American qualification, it is important not to forget the African nations that faced off for the right to be represented in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Sealing their fates today were Nigeria and Ethiopia as well as Senegal and the Ivory Coast. In the first match-up, Nigeria smoothly saw off their opponents by 2-0 in the second leg following a 2-1 victory by the Nigerians in Ethiopia. While there is certainly a great deal of necessary improvements that will have to be put into effect if Nigeria are to get anywhere in South America, they may celebrate tonight over a job well done. As for the match between Senegal and Ivory Coast, the 1-3 scoreline in the first leg positioned the Elephants perfectly to make it through to the World stage. All that was required of them was that they see off the challenges of Senegal in the match that took place in Morocco's city of Casablanca. While the 1st half went by relatively uneventful, there was pause for concern following substitute Moussa Sow's 77th minute penalty conversion gave the Senegalese the lead. Despite the motivation to press on and grab a second, it was actually Ivory Coast who scored, in the 4th minute of stoppage time in the 2nd half, to sink Senegal's chances of qualifying and ensure their own advance to next year's World Cup!