Canada kicked off the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Cameroon on Friday in Jordan. Down a goal at the break, Canada scored twice in the last 15 minutes to earn three points on the opening day of the competition.
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Five Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX started the match for Canada, including Julia Grosso, who set up Canada’s game-winner on a corner kick, and goalscorer Jordyn Huitema. The three other 'Caps in the starting XI were fullbacks Ashley Cathro and Emma Regan and midfielder Kaela Hansen.
Huitema was the early goalscorer for Canada (video below) before Soline Djoubi and Claudia Dabda made it 2-1 for Cameroon after 45 minutes.
Jordyn Huitema Scores goal to put Canada 1 up against Cameroon FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup #womensfootball#U17WWC Video: Eurosport #CANWNTpic.twitter.com/Vzlq6AJ1KM
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) September 30, 2016
Sarah Stratigakis then scored the equalizer on a 78th minute penalty before Hannah Taylor headed home the winner in the 83rd minute (video below). With the win, Canada sit in first place in Group B ahead of second-place Germany who won 2-1 over Venezuela on the opening day.
Hannah Taylor Goals puts Canada in the lead 3 - 2. , FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup #womensfootball#U17WWC#CANWNT Video: Eurosport pic.twitter.com/jawzyhbquM
— WomensSoccerUnited (@WSUasa) September 30, 2016
“It was a real Canadian gritty performance right to the end” said Bev Humphries-Priestman, Canada Soccer's women's national U-17 coach. “We knew it wasn't going to be easy against such a physical team like Cameroon, but we are really proud of our team.
“It was such a roller coaster game, but that is only going to help the team learn and move forward in their journey towards the women's national team as well as move forward in this tournament.”
Canada's second group match is Monday, October 3 against Germany at the Amman International Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on TSN1, TSN4, and RDS at 9 a.m. PT. Canada will then face Venezuela on Friday, October 7 at the King Abdullah II International Stadium (9 a.m. PT on TSN1, TSN4, and RDS).
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