Mexico's Dayana Cazares (left) celebrates with teammate Luisa Delgado after scoring against host Jordan in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup on October 3, 2016, in Irbid, Jordan. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
IRBID, Jordan – Mexico (2W-0D-0L, 6 points, GD+8) claimed a berth in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarterfinals thanks to a 4-1 win over host Jordan (0-0-2, 0) on Monday at the Al Hassan International Stadium.
The result means that the CONCACAF runner-up will finish no worse than second place in Group A and can clinch the top spot with as little as a draw in Friday’s meeting with Spain (2-0-0, 6, +8), which topped New Zealand, 2-0, to clinch progression as well.
Although the victory was by a comfortable final margin, Mexico fell behind the Jordanians, 1-0, in the sixth minute, when Sarah Abu-Sabbah held off a challenge at the upper-right side of the penalty area to curl a left-footed effort inside the left post.
Seven minutes later, the sides were on equal terms after Jordan struggled to manage a right-sided corner kick and Jazmin Enrigue’s block of an awkward goal-line clearance with her left foot sent the ball into the back of the net.
Mexico went ahead to stay in the 17th minute, when Daniela Espinosa slight redirection of Jacqueline Ovalle’s low cross from the left rolled into the path of Dayana Cazares, who first-timed it past goalkeeper Rand Albustanji from 14-yards out.
Ovalle got on the scoresheet nine minutes into the second half, skillfully maintaining possession and creating space 13 yards from goal, before firing into the bottom-right corner with her left foot.
With five minutes left in normal time, Gabriela Juarez made it 4-1 by nodding home from four yards off another Ovalle cross from the left.
Next match: October 7, 2016, v Spain
2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
October 3, 2016: Al Hassan International Stadium – Irbid, Jordan (Att: 8,250)
Jordan-Mexico 1-4 (1-2)
Jordan: Rand Albustanji; Luna Sahloul, Nour Zooash, Alanoud Ghazi, Leen Albtoush, Sarah Abu-Sabbah, Tasneem Abu-Rob (Tasneem Isleem 89’), Jeeda Alnaber, Rouzbahan Fraij (Joel Srouji 76’), Noor Abukishk, Yasmeen Zabian (Jana Abu Ghosh 60’). Head Coach: Robbie Johnson
Mexico: Kelsey Brann; Ashley Soto (Celiana Torres 87’), Jazmin Enrigue, Kimberly Rodriguez, Jimena Lopez, Dayana Cazares, Alexia Delgado, Daniela Espinosa, Montserrat Hernandez (Gabriela Juarez 55’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Luisa Delgado (Mia Villegas 76’). Head Coach: Christopher Cuellar
R: Finau Vulivuli (Fiji); AR1: Renee Coghill (Austria); AR2: Uvena Fernandez (India); 4th: Ledya Tafesse (Ethiopia); AR2:
