PANAJI
The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup to be held in Goa from October 11 to 30, kicked off at a glittering ceremony at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium Bambolim on Monday.
The prestigious international sporting event will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged Goans to wholeheartedly participate in the event.
On Tuesday, Nehru Stadium, Fatorda will host two Group B matches. The first match of the tournament in Goa will be played between Chile and New Zealand, which will kick off at 4 pm.
In the second match, title favourites Germany will launch their campaign against Nigeria at Fatorda in an 8 pm kick-off.
Meanwhile, one of the least fancied sides in the tournament, India will begin as clear underdogs in their opening match against the mighty USA in Bhubaneshwar on Tuesday.
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).
Head coach Thomas Dennerby had said that the hosts will be a tough side to score against and taking a point from the formidable USA at the Kalinga Stadium can be a big achievement for India.
USA have come into the tournament as winners of the CONCACAF championships and they would look to open their campaign with a win, knowing fully well that a slip-up against India can cost them dear in a Group which also has title contenders Brazil.
