MARGAO: Plucky Canada may not exactly be overjoyed with a 1-1 draw against fancied France in the Group D opener of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the PJN Stadium at Fatorda on Wednesday.
The Canadians, admittedly, were on the backfoot for most of the match but seemed to make most of their moments in the area to cause anxiety in the French defence.
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Canada shot ahead in the 67th minute when substitute Annabelle Chukwu maintained composure to slot into an empty net after leaving the goalkeeper for dead.
But France were level after Lucie Calba struck in the 73rd minute and ensured her team a precious point in a group that also includes Japan and Tanzania.
One such moment almost resulted in a goal after a blunder by Lola Boisset that presented Amanda Allen possession in the box. However, the Canadian striker only rattled the bar, much to the relief of Feerine Belhadj a little before the hydration break.
France, who attacked from the word go, attempted to get their act together but Canada begun to string some attractive and dangerous – moves as the first half headed towards a close.
Jeneva Hernandez blasted over with a French goal at her mercy. Moments later her opposite No. 10 Shana Chossenotte could have done better when presented with a chance in a box, albeit under pressure.
But goalless it was at the interval and anybody’s game, the 7-1 shots on goal count in France’s favour notwithstanding.
A first in the Goa leg of the tournament followed in the early moments of the second half with VAR called into play but it didn’t favour a penalty possibility for France.
Hernandez went close again for Canada, thwarted by goalkeeper Belhadj in the nick of time as the French struggled for answers against a team who appeared to cope better with the pressure.
Canada celebrated with 59 minutes gone but Amanda Allen, who found the net, agonized after an offside call by the assistant referee.
France had a chance to rub it in moments later but the marauding player-of-the-match Lucie Calba had her shot from distance tipped over by the sprightly Coralie Lallier.
The match had well and truly spring to life when substitute Chukwu side-stepped Boisset but finished tamely into the sprawled Belhadj.
Chukwu, though, couldn’t be denied just moments later. She latched on to a Anna Hauer’s defence- splitting pass, got past the goalkeeper and slotted home into an inviting net at the three-quarter mark.
France, expectedly, threw everything into attack and Calba scored the equaliser after frenetic action on the left flank six minutes after falling behind.
The effervescent FC Metz forward almost pulled off the winner with an angular attempt that went just over the bar deep into eight minutes of added time. But split honours it was and perhaps fairly so.
