Ghana is ousted by France in the semifinal smashing all their hopes to reach in their first world’s cup final. Ghana has evolved as the promising contender for the title after defeating the most favorable tournament winner: Japan in the quarterfinal. But in semi’s, France beat them comprehensively by 2-0 margin and march its army to play in the final. Despite defeat, Ghana became the first African team to be among top four in a world cup. Priscilla Okyere, the captain of Ghana, was highly optimistic to win this match, but it was not one of his luckiest days and he could not make the history. France fired both goals in both playing sessions and their numbering player for both goals was striker Diani Kadidiatou who scored these goals in 31st and 89th minutes respectively. Jane Ayieyam’s red card became the setback for Ghana and gave France a desired advantage as well. Overall, it was the day of 17 years old Kadidiatou Diani, the scorer of both goals, that contributed greatly to take his country into the finals of U-17 women’s world cup for the first time. France will face on the winner of second semifinal scheduled to be played between Korea and Germany, and final will be played on 13th at Baku; Azerbaijan.
This world cup brings many reasons to cheer for Ghana, because it is the only team which changed the odds completely by showing their full-on soccer passion and defeated Japan in the quarter final. Perhaps, in semis too, Ghana looked to be the favorite taking into account their desperate desires and confidence to take home the trophy this year. From the moment they lost their first world cup match to Germany, Ghana never looked back and shown their impressive and disciplined run throughout the tournament. It was the last representative of Africa, and now there’s no African team left in the tournament. Though, they are out of the competition, they will still fight for a third or fourth place via their last world cup game.
France, on the other side, will play in the final for the first time in their history, and like their men’s national football team, women football players also look confident to win the world cup trophy. Anyways, this women’s world cup told us how unpredictable soccer game is where an underdog team set aside most important contenders for the title. No matter who wins the cup, it’s a win for soccer at last.