MARGAO: Colombia cruised into the first-ever semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 win over Tanzania, hampered by two expulsions, at the PJN Stadium on Saturday.
The South Americans earned the right to play another African nation – Nigeria – in Wednesday’s semifinal at the same venue but euphoria over victory may be tempered by an injury to their star striker Linda Caicedo who hobbled off early in the second half when her team led 3-0.
Caicedo scored the first goal to take her tally to four in the tournament – the tournament top scorer at the moment – while Tanzania collected the same number in red cards in the tournament.
The two stats, in an uncanny way, somewhat outlined the destiny of the quarterfinal. Tanzania’s fourth expulsion in as many matches makes for dismal reading with two coming on the day.
Caicedo, a member of the U-20 team, shot Colombia ahead in driving rain in the third minute. She caught the defence napping as she slotted to the right of goalkeeper Zulfa Makau after Christina Motta provided the assist from distance.
Yesica Munoz made it 2-0 in the 17th minute, heading in player-of-the-match Gabriela Rodriguez’s ball.
A direct red card to Zainabu Ally for hacking down Juana Ortegon left Tanzania with a mountain to climb.
A penalty resulting from goalkeeper Makau’s upending of Orianna Quintero provided Rodriguez to enter the scoresheet and end the match as a contest in the 36th minute.
Tanzania could have scored a morale-boosting goal but Neema Kinega rifled against the post, brushing Luisa Agudelo’s glove with halftime fast approaching.
Tanzania substituted Makau with hitherto first-choice goalkeeper Husna Mtunda but it was Colombia’s Caicedo’s walk back to the dugout that drew concern.
Coach Carlos Paniagua had no medical update on the injury post-match but her absence on the pitch may had something to do with Colombia’s lack of urgency upfront in the second half.
Not that it was needed, with the opposition a player down, a healthy lead in hand and the need to conserve energy for a stern semi-final test.
The proceedings became more of a formality when Noela Luhala brought down Munoz for a second yellow and an automatic red card to reduce the African team to nine players.
