FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup New Zealand Statistical Kit

Transcription

1 Statistical Kit Source: FIFA FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 1/31

2 Contents: General Information...3 History... 3 Development... 3 All-time ing... 4 Head to Heads in other FIFA women s competitions... 6 Preliminary Competitions...8 Qualifying Competition Formats... 8 Preliminary Competitions per Confederation... 9 AFC...9 CAF...10 CONCACAF...11 OFC...13 UEFA...14 Participating Teams...16 FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 2/31

3 General Information History The first confederation to stage an age-group tournament for women was UEFA in 1997 with the European Women s U-19 Championship. In a move to further promote the women s game, FIFA followed suit with its own competition for young women. As was FIFA s intention, the event has encouraged member associations to develop women s football at youth level and to set up teams in younger age groups, including the U-13 and U-15 brackets. Moreover, the championship has also prompted the confederations to organise continental qualifying competitions. Eleven years after China hosted the inaugural FIFA Women s World Cup in 1991, Canada provided the venue for the very first FIFA U-19 Women s World Championship, an event that brought together the world s top youth sides and proved a resounding success both on the pitch and at the turnstiles. The tournament attracted no fewer than 295,133 spectators, an impressive average of 11,351 per game. Not surprisingly, the final drew the biggest crowd, as 47,784 fans flocked to Edmonton s Commonwealth Stadium to see the USA become the first side to claim the world youth crown. Two years later it was Thailand s turn to stage the event in a 12-team tournament that generated an overall attendance figure of 288,324. In 2006, the tournament was held in Russia, the home of the reigning European U-19 champions. The age limit was raised from 19 to 20 years of age, paving the way for a new competition: the U-17 Women s World Cup, which will bring women s youth football in line with its male counterparts. The inaugural FIFA U-17 Women s World Cup will be played in New Zealand in Sixteen teams will take part in the event, open to players born after 1 January The slots have been allocated among the confederations as follows: AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and UEFA: 3 each; Oceania: 1. Development FIFA s systematic development work for women s football has become one of its major and most enduring activities. Since beginning this world development programme focused on women s football, hundreds of coaches, players, referees, administrators and doctors have taken advantage of development courses, symposiums, video productions and other activities organised by FIFA. FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 3/31

4 All-time ing FIFA Women's World Cup (FWWC) Women s Olympic Football Tournament (OFT) FIFA U-20/19 Women's World Cup (FU19/20WWC) FWWC China 1991 FWWC Sweden 1995 OFT Atlanta/USA 1996 FWWC USA 1999 OFT Sydney/2000 Australia FU19WWC Canada 2002 FWWC USA 2003 OFT Athens/Greece 2004 FU19WWC Thailand 2004 U20WF Russia2006 WFW China 2007PR OFW Beijing/China 2008PR Team MP W D L GF GA Pts. Avg. Pts. Part. 1 USA Germany Brazil China PR Norway Sweden Canada Korea DPR Japan* Australia Nigeria Russia England* France* Denmark* Italy Ghana Mexico Spain FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 4/31

5 OFW Beijing/China 2008PR WFW China 2007PR U20WF Russia2006 FU19WWC Thailand 2004 OFT Athens/Greece 2004 FWWC USA 2003 FU19WWC Canada 2002 OFT Sydney/2000 Australia FWWC USA 1999 OFT Atlanta/USA 1996 FWWC Sweden 1995 FWWC China 1991 Part. M P W D L GF GA Pts. Avg. Pts. Team 20 Korea Republic Argentina Chinese Taipei New Zealand Congo DR Finland Greece Switzerland Thailand * Participants at FIFA U17 Women's World Cup 2008 Participants at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2008 but for the first time at any FIFA Women's final tournaments and OFTs: Colombia Costa Rica Paraguay FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 5/31

6 Head to Heads in other FIFA women s competitions Group A - Colombia, New Zealand, Denmark, Canada Canada v. Denmark EDMONTON (CAN) Canada - Denmark 3:2 (1:0) FIFA U-19 WWC Canada 2002 Group stage Denmark v. New Zealand GUANGZHOU (CHN) Denmark - New Zealand 3:0 (2:0) FIFA WWC China PR 1991 Group stage WUHAN (CHN) Denmark - New Zealand 2:0 (0:0) FIFA WWC China 2007 Group stage Group B - Germany, Costa Rica, Ghana, Korea DPR Germany v. Korea DPR WUHAN (CHN) Germany - Korea DPR 3:0 (1:0) FIFA WWC China 2007 Quarter-final TIANJIN (CHN) Korea DPR - Germany 0:1 (0:0) OFT Beijing 2008 Group stage Korea DPR v. Germany MOSCOW (RUS) Korea DPR - Germany 2:0 (1:0) FIFA U-20 WWC Russia 2006 Group stage Group C - France, USA, Japan, Paraguay Japan v. USA FOSHAN (CHN) Japan - USA 0:3 (0:3) FIFA WWC China PR 1991 Group stage GAVLE (SWE) Japan - USA 0:4 (0:3) FIFA WWC Sweden 1995 Quarter-final THESSALONIKI (GRE) USA - Japan 2:1 (1:0) OFT Athens 2004 Quarter-final QINHUANGDAO (CHN) USA - Japan 1:0 (1:0) OFT Beijing 2008 Group stage BEIJING (CHN) Japan - USA 2:4 (1:2) OFT Beijing 2008 Semi-final USA v. France MOSCOW (RUS) USA - France 1:0 (0:0) FIFA U-20 WWC Russia 2006 Group stage FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 6/31

7 Group D - England, Brazil, Nigeria, Korea Republic Brazil v. Korea Republic WASHINGTON DC (USA) Brazil - Korea Republic 3:0 (1:0) FIFA WWC USA 2003 Group B Brazil v. Nigeria WASHINGTON DC (USA) Brazil - Nigeria 4:3 AET (3:3, 3:0) FIFA WWC USA 1999 Quarter-final BEIJING (CHN) Nigeria - Brazil 1:3 (1:3) OFT Beijing 2008 Group F Brazil v. Nigeria CHIANGMAI (THA) Brazil - Nigeria 2:3 (0:2) FIFA U-19 WWC Thailand 2004 Group B MOSCOW (RUS) Brazil - Nigeria 2:1 (1:0) FIFA U-20 WWC Russia 2006 Quarter-final Nigeria v. England KARLSTAD (SWE) Nigeria - England 2:3 (1:3) FIFA WWC Sweden 1995 Group B AET: after extra time; PSO: penalty shoot-out Classifications: WWC: FIFA Women's World Cup, U-20/U-19 WWC: U-20/U-19 Women's World Cup, OFT: Olympic Football Tournament FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 7/31

8 Preliminary Competitions Qualifying Competition Formats Confederation Representatives Qualification AFC (3) 1. Korea DPR 2. Japan 3. Korea Republic The AFC U-16 Women's Championship took place between 8 and 17 March 2007 in Malaysia. Korea DPR clinched an impressive victory, capped with 4-1 and 3-0 wins over fellow qualifiers Korea Republic and Japan in the semi-finals and final respectively. CAF (2) 1. Nigeria 2. Ghana Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana advanced from the first round of the CAF Women's U-17 Championship between 2 and 20 May. This trio of African heavyweights competed then in a home-and-away round robin series from late May to early July, with the top two finishers claiming the continent's berths for the inaugural FIFA U- 17 Women's World Cup. CONCACAF (3) 1. USA 2. Costa Rica 3. Canada Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, USA and Trinidad and Tobago faced off for three berths at New Zealand in the final CONCACAF qualifying round. T&T hosted the event at Bacolet's Dwight Yorke Stadium and Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya. After qualifying along with favourites USA and Canada for the Costa Rica will compete for the first time in their history at a FIFA women's finals. CONMEBOL (3) 1. Colombia 2. Brazil 3. Paraguay Colombia, Brazil and Paraguay emerged triumphant from a 10-strong field at the CONMEBOL Women's U-17 Championship between 12 and 30 January 2008 in Chile to claim South America's three available slots. The Colombians led the way, topping the final stage standings on goal difference, and were followed closely by Brazil and Paraguay, who narrowly edged out Argentina. OFC (1) 1. New Zealand There was no OFC preliminary competition, with New Zealand qualifying automatically as hosts. UEFA (4) 1. France 2. England 3. Denmark 4. Germany France, England, Denmark and Germany secured Europe's four berths in March and April 2008 by topping their respective sections in the second qualifying round of the UEFA European Women's U-17 Championship. This came after 16 teams emerged from the 40-strong first round. FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 8/31

9 Preliminary Competitions per Confederation AFC The AFC U-16 Women's Championship took place between 8 and 17 March 2007 in Malaysia. Korea DPR clinched an impressive victory, capped with 4-1 and 3-0 wins over fellow qualifiers Korea Republic and Japan in the semi-finals and final respectively. First Stage - Group A Date Match Result City China PR - Korea Republic 3:1 (3:1) PETALING JAYA (MAS) Korea Republic - Australia 3:1 (0:0) PETALING JAYA (MAS) Australia - China PR 0:0 PETALING JAYA (MAS) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 China PR Korea Republic Australia First Stage - Group B Japan - Korea DPR 0:1 (0:1) PETALING JAYA (MAS) Korea DPR - Thailand 7:1 (5:1) PETALING JAYA (MAS) Thailand - Japan 1:2 (1:1) PETALING JAYA (MAS) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Korea DPR Japan Thailand Second Stage - Semi-final China PR - Japan 1:3 (1:2) KUALA LUMPUR (MAS) Korea DPR - Korea Republic 4:1 (1:1) KUALA LUMPUR (MAS) Match for third place China PR - Korea Republic 1:1 AET (1:1, 1:0) PSO 2:4 PETALING JAYA (MAS) Final Japan - Korea DPR 0:3 (0:1) PETALING JAYA (MAS) FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/2008 9/31

10 CAF Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana advanced from the first round of the CAF Women's U-17 Championship between 2 and 20 May. This trio of African heavyweights then competed in a home-and-away round robin series from late May to early July, with the top two finishers claiming the continent's berths for the inaugural. Preliminary Round: Play-off Date Match Result City Nigeria - Guinea 7:0 (4:0) ABUJA (NGA) Guinea - Nigeria 0:5 (0:2) CONAKRY (GUI) Zambia - Ghana 0:2 LUSAKA (ZAM) Ghana - Zambia 4:0 ACCRA (GHA) First Round: Play-off Cameroon - South Africa 2:0 YAOUNDE (CMR) Ghana - Congo DR 8:0 ACCRA (GHA) South Africa - Cameroon 0:1 PRETORIA (RSA) Congo DR - Ghana 0:3 LUBUMBASHI (COD) Second Round: Round robin, home-and-away Cameroon - Nigeria 1:1 YAOUNDE (CMR) Nigeria - Ghana 4:2 ABUJA (NGA) Ghana - Cameroon 1:2 ACCRA (GHA) Nigeria - Cameroon 3:0 ABUJA (NGA) Ghana - Nigeria 1:0 (0:0) ACCRA (GHA) Cameroon - Ghana 1:2 YAOUNDE (CMR) Second Round: s Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Nigeria Ghana Cameroon FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

11 CONCACAF For the first time in their history Costa Rica will compete at a FIFA women's finals after qualifying along with favourites USA and Canada for the. Group A Date Match Result City Costa Rica - USA 0:6 (0:4) MACOYA (TRI) Trinidad & Tobago - El Salvador 5:1 (4:1) MACOYA (TRI) USA - El Salvador 9:0 (6:0) MACOYA (TRI) Trinidad & Tobago - Costa Rica 0:0 MACOYA (TRI) El Salvador - Costa Rica 1:8 (1:3) MACOYA (TRI) Trinidad & Tobago - USA 1:9 (1:7) MACOYA (TRI) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 USA Costa Rica Trinidad & Tobago El Salvador Group B Puerto Rico - Canada 0:3 (0:1) BACOLET (TRI) Mexico - Jamaica 6:0 (4:0) BACOLET (TRI) Mexico - Puerto Rico 4:0 (1:0) BACOLET (TRI) Canada - Jamaica 4:3 (3:2) BACOLET (TRI) Jamaica - Puerto Rico 1:2 (0:1) BACOLET (TRI) Canada - Mexico 4:1 (1:0) BACOLET (TRI) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Canada Mexico Puerto Rico Jamaica Semi-final Canada - Costa Rica 0:2 (0:0) MACOYA (TRI) USA - Mexico 1:0 (0:0) MACOYA (TRI) Match for third place Canada - Mexico 1:0 (1:0) MACOYA (TRI) Final Costa Rica - USA 1:4 (0:4) MACOYA (TRI) FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

12 CONMEBOL Colombia, Brazil and Paraguay emerged triumphant from a 10-strong field at the CONMEBOL Women's U-17 Championship between 12 and 30 January 2008 in Chile to claim South America's three available slots. The Colombians led the way, topping the final stage standings on goal difference, and were followed closely by Brazil and Paraguay, who narrowly edged out Argentina. First Stage - Group A Date Match Result City Chile - Ecuador 1:1 (0:1) MELIPILLA (CHI) Argentina - Bolivia 5:1 (3:0) MELIPILLA (CHI) Chile - Bolivia 4:0 (1:0) MELIPILLA (CHI) Ecuador - Colombia 1:1 (1:1) MELIPILLA (CHI) Bolivia - Ecuador 1:2 (0:0) MELIPILLA (CHI) Argentina - Colombia 0:3 (0:2) MELIPILLA (CHI) Chile - Colombia 1:1 (0:1) MELIPILLA (CHI) Argentina - Ecuador 1:0 (1:0) MELIPILLA (CHI) Chile - Argentina 0:4 (0:2) MELIPILLA (CHI) Bolivia - Colombia 0:5 (0:3) MELIPILLA (CHI) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Argentina Colombia Chile Ecuador Bolivia First Stage - Group B Peru - Paraguay 1:4 (1:3) PENALOLEN (CHI) Brazil - Uruguay 1:0 (0:0) PENALOLEN (CHI) Uruguay - Paraguay 1:4 (1:2) PENALOLEN (CHI) Venezuela - Brazil 2:3 (2:2) PENALOLEN (CHI) Peru - Uruguay 1:0 (0:0) PENALOLEN (CHI) Venezuela - Paraguay 0:6 (0:4) PENALOLEN (CHI) Peru - Venezuela 3:2 (2:2) PENALOLEN (CHI) Brazil - Paraguay 5:1 (3:0) PENALOLEN (CHI) Uruguay - Venezuela 4:2 (3:2) PENALOLEN (CHI) Brazil - Peru 3:0 (1:0) PENALOLEN (CHI) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Brazil Paraguay Peru Uruguay Venezuela FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

13 Second Stage - Final Round Date Match Result City Argentina - Paraguay 2:1 (0:0) VILLARRICA (CHI) Brazil - Colombia 3:1 (3:1) VILLARRICA (CHI) Argentina - Colombia 1:4 (0:3) VILLARRICA (CHI) Brazil - Paraguay 1:4 (1:0) VILLARRICA (CHI) Colombia - Paraguay 7:2 (3:1) VILLARRICA (CHI) Argentina - Brazil 2:4 (1:2) VILLARRICA (CHI) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Colombia Brazil Paraguay Argentina OFC There was no OFC preliminary competition, with New Zealand qualifying automatically as hosts. FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

14 UEFA France, England, Denmark and Germany secured Europe's four berths in March and April 2008 by topping their respective sections in the second qualifying round of the UEFA European Women's U-17 Championship. This came after 16 teams emerged from the 40-strong first round. Group 1 Date Match Result City Czech Republic - England 0:4 (0:1) PRAGUE (CZE) Netherlands - Belgium 1:1 (1:0) HORNI POCERNICE (CZE) Czech Republic - Netherlands 0:2 (0:2) PRAGUE (CZE) England - Belgium 3:1 (2:0) LIBCICE NAD VLATVOU (CZE) Czech Republic - Belgium 3:1 (1:1) PRAGUE (CZE) Netherlands - England 0:0 LHOTA (CZE) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 England Netherlands Czech Republic Belgium Group Scotland - Ireland Republic 1:0 (1:0) PERPIGNAN (FRA) France - Norway 2:0 (0:0) CANET EN ROUSSILLON (FRA) France - Ireland Republic 2:0 (0:0) PERPIGNAN (FRA) Norway - Scotland 0:1 (0:0) CANET EN ROUSSILLON (FRA) France - Scotland 1:0 (0:0) CANET EN ROUSSILLON (FRA) Ireland Republic - Norway 1:0 (1:0) PERPIGNAN (FRA) Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 France Scotland Republic of Ireland Norway Group Sweden - Poland 1:1 (1:1) ESSEN (GER) Germany - Switzerland 4:0 (1:0) ESSEN (GER) Switzerland - Sweden 1:1 (1:1) BOTTROP (GER) Germany - Poland 3:0 (3:0) BOTTROP (GER) Germany - Sweden 4:1 (2:1) ESSEN (GER) Poland - Switzerland 2:0 (2:0) BOTTROP (GER) FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

15 Team MP W D L GF GA +/- Points 1 Germany Poland Sweden Switzerland Group Iceland - Russia 3:4 (3:1) VILDBJERG (DEN) Denmark - Finland 0:0 VILDBJERG (DEN) Finland - Russia 1:0 (1:0) SPJALD (DEN) Denmark - Iceland 4:2 (1:1) SPJALD (DEN) Denmark - Russia 2:0 (0:0) VILDBJERG (DEN) Iceland - Finland 2:4 (0:1) SPJALD (DEN) Team MP W L GF GA +/- Points 1 Denmark Finland Russia Iceland FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

16 Participating Teams (in alphabetical order) Brazil CONMEBOL Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 5 (2; 2007) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 4 (2; 2008) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (3; 2006) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 3 Participations: 12 Number of Matches played: 62 Wins: 32 Draws: 11 Losses: 19 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 7-0 (v. Greece) at Olympic Football Tournaments Athens Perennial candidates in international women's tournaments, Brazil made sure of their place at New Zealand 2008 for the inaugural with a business-like performance at the Sudamericano qualifying event in Chile. Determined to make use of his country's vast array of talent, team coach Marcos Gaspar left no stone unturned in his nationwide search for prospective players. His Seleção went on to win six of their seven games, scoring 20 goals to ten conceded and only missing out on the title on goal difference. With more time together, there is every reason to believe the Auriverdes can build on the potential shown in Chile and feature prominently at. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

17 Canada CONCACAF Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 4 (2003; 4) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 1 (8; 2008) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (2; 2002) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) All Time ing: 7 Participations: 8 Number of Matches played: 32 Wins: 12 Draws: 6 Losses: 14 Goals For - Goals Against: Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 2,695,712 1,800, , ,413 80, , ,972 Canada's pedigree in women's football is such that their presence at major tournaments has come to be taken for granted. After all, since 2001, the North Americans have qualified for eight out of a possible nine FIFA women's competitions, including the last two FIFA Women's World Cups. At youth level, the success of Canada's grassroots programme can best be measured by the fact they have qualified for all four FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups to date, finishing runners-up in the tournament's inaugural edition. The U-17 team have a hard act to follow, therefore, and as a consequence there was widespread shock in the CONCACAF region when Bryan Rosenfeld's side fell to unfancied Costa Rica in the semi-finals of the confederation's preliminary competition for. Indeed, qualification was only secured when the Canucks prevailed in a tense, winner-takes-all third-place match with Mexico, winning 1-0 to seal the final CONCACAF berth at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

18 Colombia (Newcomer to FIFA Women s Competitions) Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - CONMEBOL Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals 929 Female Professionals 0 Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): Unfancied Colombia arrived almost unnoticed in Chile for the inaugural South American Women's U-17 Championship in January. Pedro Ignacio Rodriguez's girls had a surprise in store for their rivals, however, improving as the tournament went on to take the continental crown and book their passage to. The secret to their success was free-flowing attacking football, a simple formula that helped the Colombians to two comprehensive victories over Argentina. Suffering only a solitary defeat to Brazil in the final phase, Rodriguez's charges put together some impressive figures, notching 22 goals to finish joint top scorers with Paraguay, while conceding a mere eight. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

19 Costa Rica (Newcomer to FIFA Women s Competitions) Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - CONCACAF Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - All Players: 1,084,588 All Male: 1,050,120 All Female: 34,468 Male Professionals 875 Female Professionals 150 Male Amateurs (18 and over): 17,500 Female Amateurs (18 and over): 0 Male Youth Players (under 18): 31,100 Female Youth Players (under 18): 108 Costa Rica may be new faces on the scene, but they will not be travelling to New Zealand just to make up the numbers. Having pulled off a surprise by finishing as runners-up at the CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship, the Tica youngsters are determined to transfer their upwardly mobile progress onto the world stage. To do so they will need to hit the ground running, after they were drawn to face women's football superpowers Germany in their very first group encounter. Coach Juan Diego Quesada's charges are relishing the challenge, however, and are equally keen to tackle fellow Group B opponents Korea DPR and Ghana. For many years it has been the same old story for Costa Rican women's national teams. Drawn together with established forces such as the United States or Canada, the Ticas invariably ended up competing against Mexico for the third available qualifying place - evenly matched contests their northern rivals usually edged in nerve-wracking and dramatic fashion. And the familiar story appeared set to repeat itself at July's regional competition in Trinidad and Tobago after the young Tricolores were dealt a comprehensive 6-0 opening defeat by the USA. Showing admirable resolve, however, they bounced back to secure a solid 0-0 draw against the host nation and a spectacular 8-1 success over El Salvador. The latter result, combined with the United States' 9-1 rout of T&T ensured Costa Rica squeezed into the last four. Awaiting them in the semi-finals were Canada, a team that had proved an unsurpassable barrier for the Costa Ricans in the past. But this generation of talented Tricolores were determined to rewrite the script, defending capably and springing lighting counter-attacks to catch the Canucks off guard and record a 2-0 success - a historic win that ensured their involvement at New Zealand (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

20 Denmark UEFA Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 4 (6; 1995) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 1 (8; 1996) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (8; 2002) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 15 Participations: 6 Number of Matches played: 21 Wins: 4 Draws: 1 Losses: 16 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 5-0 (v. Australia) at the FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden Denmark may be familiar faces at the senior FIFA Women's World Cup, with four already under their belt, but their last and only appearance at a youth equivalent came in the first-ever FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada six years ago. Nor did they succeed in making much of an impact, returning home after the group stage having been edged out by Japan and their Canadian hosts. However, for all that the Danish women have often been positioned below Sweden and Norway in the Nordic pecking order, it was fitting that they should qualify for exactly 10 years on from their finest achievement to date: winning the inaugural UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship. Their road to New Zealand was not without its setbacks, but Bent Eriksen's side thoroughly merited their place at the world finals and were also able to end their qualifying campaign on a high with a bronze-winning 4-1 victory over England. Not content with this achievement, however, the Danish Football Association (DBU) are actively pursuing an innovative grassroots development programme with the motto 'Lively Girls play Football'. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

21 England UEFA Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 2 (7; ) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (6; 2002) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 13 Participations: 3 Number of Matches played: 12 Wins: 4 Draws: 3 Losses: 5 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 6-1 (v. Argentina) at the FIFA Women s World Cup China In qualifying for the, Lois Fidler's young side continued an unprecedented period of success for English women's football. Until recently, England's traditional status as a giant of the European and world game had not been translated into the female arena, with the Three Lions' youth and senior women's sides historically struggling to compete with the likes of Germany, USA and the Scandinavian nations. However, when Kelly Smith and Co qualified for China England's first FIFA Women's World Cup in 12 years - it signalled the beginning of a revival that picked up pace when the U-19s went all the way to the final of last year's UEFA European U-19 Championship. The onus was therefore on the U-17s to continue this steady development, and Fidler's side did not disappoint, advancing to at the expense of Belgium, Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The achievement delighted senior coach Hope Powell. "We've come a long way over the last ten years," said Powell. "No-one would say that we've 'made it', but our players are now challenging some of the undisputed superpowers of women's football in a way that would have been unthinkable in the early-mid 90s." (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

22 France UEFA Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (9; 2003) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 2 (7; 2006) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 14 Participations: 3 Number of Matches played: 10 Wins: 4 Draws: 1 Losses: 5 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 5-0 (v. Argentina) at the FIFA U-20 Women s World Cup Russia Following in the footsteps of their U-20 counterparts, France's U-17 squad have the honour of representing their nation in the inaugural. During the first ever FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship at Canada 2002, France were eliminated in the initial phase, so they will be hoping to go further in the opening edition of the U-17 event when it kicks off in New Zealand. Les Bleuettes certainly have all the right credentials to fulfil their mission. They became the first European team to book their passage to the finals, relying on an attack which was as spectacular as its defence was mean. On the road to New Zealand, they notched up six victories from six games, scoring 36 times without conceding a single goal in reply. While their coach, Gerard Sergent, readily admits that his charges sometimes struggle to get into their stride, the tactical maturity and technical quality shown by the precocious French players throughout the campaign saw them breeze into the world's showpiece tournament and all the way to the final of the UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

23 Germany UEFA Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 5 (1; ) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 4 (3; 2000, 2004, 2008) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (1; 2004) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 2 Participations: 12 Number of Matches played: 63 Wins: 42 Draws: 8 Losses: 13 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 11-0 (v. Argentina) at the FIFA Women s World Cup China The seniors are reigning world and European champions, so it comes as no surprise to find the youngest German women's national team rated among the favourites for the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup from 28 October to 16 November 2008 in New Zealand. Germany is justifiably regarded as setting gold standards for the global women's game in terms of youth development, a reputation the Europeans will be keen to underscore this autumn. The current U-17 crop undoubtedly rates as one of the strongest ever to emerge at this level from organised women's football in Germany. Many experts see powerful parallels with the 1988 generation, from whose ranks the likes of Fatmire Bajramaj, Celia Okoyino da Mbabi and Babett Peter have gone on to achieve established international status. Coach Ralf Peter is surely right in thinking his current charges will be there or thereabouts when it comes to handing out the medals in New Zealand, as their convincing progress through a fourteam qualifying tournament on home soil in mid-april amply demonstrated. The Germans showed conviction and remarkable composure in dealing with quality opposition, qualifying with supreme ease for the and the European finals in Nyon, Switzerland, which they went on to win. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

24 Ghana Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (12; 2003) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): CAF All Time ing: 17 Participations: 3 Number of Matches played: 9 Wins: 1 Draws: 1 Losses: 7 Goals For - Goals Against: 6-30 All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 2-1 (v. Australia) at FIFA Women s World Cup USA "New Zealand, here we come!" This call, which rang out from the jubilant Ghanaian players on the 5th July 2008, would have been unthinkable just a month earlier, when the Black Maidens' bid to reach the looked destined for failure. However, while the cynics suggested that defeat in their opening two final stage matches had left Ghana's hopes in tatters, these doubters reckoned without the character and determination of a side which duly went on to rescue qualification from the jaws of elimination. Yet while merely qualifying for these maiden finals in Oceania represents a considerable achievement in itself, Ghana are determined not to merely make up the numbers when they go up against Germany, Korea DPR and Costa Rica in Group B. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

25 Japan Current Position FIFA Women's World ing (September 2009): 11 Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 5 (8;1995) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 3 (4; 2008) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (7; 2002) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 9 Participations: 9 AFC Number of Matches played: 32 Wins: 7 Draws: 4 Losses: 21 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 6-0 (v. Argentina) at FIFA Women's World Cup USA Japan first set their sights on when Norio Sasaki, currently head coach of the women's full national side, was charged with "building a team to take on the world" in September In the build-up to last March's AFC U-16 Women's Championship Malaysia 2007, the baton was passed to Hiroshi Yoshida, renowned during the 1980s as one of the finest strikers in Japanese football. Having underlined his determination to improve his players' individual ability, technique and mental toughness, Malaysia 2007 was the ideal opportunity for Yoshida to gauge their progress during his short time at the helm. And despite defeat to a physically powerful Korea DPR side in the title decider, Japan made sure of their place at the 2008 and played some impressive football along the way. Complementing the hard work put in by all those involved with the U-17 side, Japanese women's youth football in general has enjoyed considerable and increasing support in recent years. In the wake of the last year's continental U-16 showpiece in Malaysia, the Nadeshiko Challenge Project was set up to discover and develop the next generation of senior stars. The project aims to prepare players aged 15 and over to compete at the very highest level of world football. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

26 Korea DPR Current Position FIFA Women's World ing (September 2008): 5 Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (8; 2007) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 1 (9; 2008) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (1; 2006) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Time ing: 8 Participations: 5 AFC Number of Matches played: 19 Wins: 10 Draws: 1 Losses: 8 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 5-0 at FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Russia 2006 (v. China PR) Korea DPR made a stunning debut on the Asian stage by winning the AFC U-16 Women's Championship in March 2007, strengthening the country's burgeoning reputation in the wake of their U-20 side conquering the world at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup the previous year. The North Koreans more than made up for the lack of international exposure with their trademark physical strength and never-say-die attitude throughout an impressive campaign. Captain Jo Myong-Hui led the tournament's meanest defence, while attacking midfielder Ho Un-Byol, who would later go on to take part in Korea DPR's FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, also shone with three goals. However, the brightest starlet in the squad was forward Yun Hyon-Hi, who claimed both the MVP and top scorer awards after bagging a total of seven goals. The talented youngster, who plays her club football for April 45 Sports Group, opened her account with the only goal of the game against Japan, before scoring a hat-trick against Thailand. Yun added a brace in the semi-final clash with Korea Republic, and then applied her name to the scoresheet once again in the final with an early opener against Japan. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

27 Korea Republic Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (2003; 14) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (2004; 9) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): AFC All Time ing: 20 Participations: 2 Number of Matches played: 6 Wins: 1 Draws: 0 Losses: 5 Goals For - Goals Against: 4-16 All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 0-2 (v. Russia) at FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship Thailand In women's youth football, Korea Republic have long been overshadowed by neighbours Korea DPR, China, and Japan. However, following a dramatic qualifying campaign for, the South Koreans are eager to make up for the lost time on the world stage. Although they failed to make an impact on the Asian soil when the country hosted the inaugural AFC U-17 Women's Championship in 2005, Korea Republic found redemption last year. Kim Yong- Ho's side had certainly served notice of their intentions in the build-up to the continental qualifiers, sweeping aside Australia (2-1) and China PR (1-0) before holding Japan to a thrilling 4-4 draw to win the Australian Youth Olympic Festival last January. Later, after a rollercoaster ride to third place at the AFC U-16 Women's Championship in March, the South Koreans organised a trip to play New Zealand in December. During their reconnaissance mission, Korea Republic recorded morale-boosting wins against the hosts (2-1 and 6-0) and concluded the three-game series with a 1-1 draw to round off a memorable year. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

28 New Zealand Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 2 (1991; 11) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 1 (2008; 10) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 1 (2006; 13) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) OFC All Time ing: 23 Participations: 4 Number of Matches played: 12 Wins: 0 Draws: 2 Losses: 10 Goals For - Goals Against: 5-33 Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): - All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals 25 Female Professionals 0 Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): After a historic year in 2007 that saw New Zealand represented at three FIFA world finals by their U-17 and U-20 men's sides together with their senior women, 2008 brings the opportunity to consolidate and improve on those achievements on home soil. The onus is therefore on Paul Temple's team - the 'Young Football Ferns', as they are known - to succeed at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup where their fellow Kiwi finalists failed last year: by advancing beyond the group stage. Although rugby has traditionally dominated its sporting landscape, New Zealand has one of the highest number of female football players-per-capita of all 208 FIFA member associations, and the hope is that it can follow the lead of other 'new' football nations such as USA and Canada by using women's football to champion the beautiful game. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

29 Nigeria Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 5 (1999; 7) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 3 (2004; 6) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (6; ) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): CAF All Time ing: 11 Participations: 11 Number of Matches played: 36 Wins: 6 Draws: 5 Losses: 25 Goals For - Goals Against: All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 0-8 (v. Finland) at FIFA U-20 Women s World Cup Russia Although there has never been a women's world finals at U-17 level before, Nigeria's dominance of African women's football is such that their presence at was always all but guaranteed. The country's senior side have, after all, qualified for all five FIFA Women's World Cups as continental champions, and their youth team progressed to a fourth successive FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup earlier this year. The U-17 team, nicknamed the Flamingoes', might be the new kids on the block, but the NFA signalled their intent for this fledgling side by appointing Felix Ibe-Ukwu, one of the nation's most experienced women's football coaches, as their coach. Sure enough, the Flamingoes booked their place at with a game to spare, a 3-0 win over Cameroon on 23 June securing their passage. The ease with which they qualified also enabled Nigeria to test some of their fringe players in the second half of their preliminary campaign, helping to finalise the squad that will do battle in New Zealand. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

30 Paraguay (Newcomer to FIFA Women s Competitions) Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): - CONMEBOL Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): - All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals 590 Female Professionals 0 Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): 67 Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 233 Paraguay's qualification for may have surprised a lot of people, but not coach Carlos Baez and his players. The Albirroja squad at the South American qualifying tournament in Chile was short on years but not experience, with no fewer than 17 of the 20 players having already made their debuts in Paraguay's top flight. Right from the start, Paraguay decided it would be all or nothing in the qualifiers, and their record of four wins and three defeats in Chile is testimony to that. The team's impressive forward play (22 goals in 7 games) not only made them joint top scorers alongside champions Colombia, but it also secured them a berth at despite conceding an incredible 17 goals along the way. While their defence is clearly an area that needs improving, their third-place finish - they were in the running for the title right up to the last day - is proof that the Guaraníes will be in New Zealand on merit. (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31

31 USA CONCACAF Number of previous FIFA Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 5 (1; 1991, 1999) Number of previous Olympic Football Tournaments (Best rank; year): 4 (1; 1996; 2004; 2008) Number of previous FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups (Best rank; year): 3 (1; 2002) Overall Record: (all three tournaments above) All Time ing: 1 Participations: 12 Number of Matches played: 70 Wins: 56 Draws: 8 Losses: 6 Goals For - Goals Against: Biggest win (in all three tournaments above): All Players: All Male: All Female: Male Professionals Female Professionals Male Amateurs (18 and over): Female Amateurs (18 and over): Male Youth Players (under 18): Female Youth Players (under 18): 24,472,778 17,416,859 7,055,919 1, , ,344,239 1,562,826 For many observers, the USA have already earned the right to be regarded as the team to beat at. The Americans' pedigree in women's football was always going to see them ranked among the leading contenders, of course, but it is the manner in which they have prepared and qualified for the tournament that has really caught the eye. The first indication of their potential came in Auckland at January's Future Stars competition, when hosts New Zealand and Australia were effortlessly brushed aside by Kazbek Tambi's side en route to a 3-2 final victory over Germany. If that was impressive, their form in the CONCACAF preliminary competition was positively awe-inspiring; a triumphant qualifying campaign yielding 29 goals to just two conceded. Where Tambi's team differ from their senior counterparts is in their commitment to combine substance with style, sticking steadfastly to a slick pass-and-move philosophy that contrasts sharply with the more direct, physical approach for which the US have traditionally been renowned. As Tambi himself says: "We are not just looking for physically outstanding athletes, but players who have tremendous knowledge and creativity and can play great soccer." (Text source: FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Content Management Services 24/09/ /31