United States took all three points, beating India 8-0 in their opening contest of the tournament. A forgettable night for hosts India, who failed to score a single goal. India had booked an automatic berth in the age-group showpiece as hosts and they are one of the three debutants in the tournament along with fellow Group A side Morocco and Tanzania (Group D).
USA 8-0 IND
USA have beaten the hosts 8-0, silencing the crowd here at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. It will be difficult for Thomas Dennerby’s girls to make a comeback from this defeat, but they could view this as a learning exercise, as the gulf in quality between the two sides was massive.
The visitors started strongly right from the get-go and got their first goal in the ninth-minute as Melina Rebimbas volleyed past goalkeeper Anjali Munda. Charlotte Ruth Kohler increased USA’s lead in the 15th-minute, followed by Onyeka Paloma Gamero adding another in the 23rd-minute. It was followed by a complete trouncing as Remimbas (31′) scored once again, followed by goals from Gisele Thompson (39′), Ella Emiri (51′), Taylor Suarez (59′) and Mia Bhuta (62′).
The Americans dominated the game right from the first second till the last, and the young tigresses could barely get on the ball. They will need to regroup and return will all might in their next match against Morocco, which will be played on Friday, 14 October.
As for Natalia Astrain, the head coach of USA, she could not have asked for anything more from her girls. Almost every USA player had a flawless outing, and they will be in action on 14 October as well, against Brazil.
India, who were already down by five goals after the first half, conceded three more goals in the second to suffer their biggest defeat at this level. Their previous worst defeat was against South Korea, losing 0-7 twice against the Asian giants.
The only positive point for the Indian team tonight was that they managed to keep USA at bay for the last 30 minutes of play after conceding the eighth goal in the 62nd minute. The hosts will next face Morocco on Friday and USA will take on Brazil.
