MARGAO
Colombia crushed Tanzania 3-0 and romped into the semifinals of the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup in a rain soaked quarterfinal at Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday.
Tanzania was beaten but certainly not disgraced even if the scoreline pointed towards a rout. Colombia started the game well and early pressure paid off as their forwards Quentero Orianna and captain Caicedo Linda combined well and in the very 4th minute forward Linda Caicedo found the net off a pass from Munoz Yessica.
Any hopes of a Tanzania comeback were laid to rest when Yesica Munoz picked up an excellent ball from Ortegon Juana and beat the rival goalkeeper with a clinical finish to give her team a 2-0 cushion in the 9th minute.
Earlier Ally Zainabu was ejected by referee for a vicious tackle on a Colombian player and referee Ivana Martinccic flashed a red to reduce the team to 10 players. With Quntero Orianna heading towards the goal, she was held back by a rival defender, and after consulting the VAR, referee signalled a spot kick. The resultant spot kick taken by Rodrigues Gabriela sent the rival goalkeeper the wrong way in the 35th minute.
At the other hand, the Serengeti Girls faltered in the midfield as Colombian forwards were allowed to take the ball in the middle without a proper challenge. The second session continued in same vein and Colombian captain attacking midfielder Yesica hoodwinked a couple of rival defenders and her try was foiled by the Tanzania defender inside the penalty box.
In the 62nd minute, the crossbar came to the rescue of Colombia when Lema Joyce's snap shot hit the bar much to the disappointment of the Tanzania bench. They suffered a jolt when captain Luhala Noella was red-carded by the referee after she received her second yellow card.
Colombia will play Nigeria in the semifinals at Fatorda on October 26.
