FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – CRAMMER SHINES AS FRANCE CRUISE

HAMILTON – France announced their arrival at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in style today with a 6-2 thumping of Paraguay at Waikato Stadium.

In a match that had it all French star Pauline Crammer stole the headlines with the first ever hat trick in the inaugural U-17 finals. 

Both sides were reduced to ten players in the second half when French midfielder Lea Rubio was given her marching orders following a dangerous tackle, then Paraguay goal scorer Jacqueline Gonzalez evened the numbers after chatting back to referee Pannipar Kamnueng late in the second half.

Paraguay were outclassed technically and tactically by the French and the game was marred by some dangerous challenges and stoppages in play late in the match.

But it also had moments of brilliance and Gonzalez scored the pick of the goals with a brilliant freekick placed eloquently into the top corner to pull a goal back for Paraguay just before half time.

Earlier Crammer had given France a perfect start with two goals inside 12 minutes. Her pace and composure in front of goal was impressive for such a young player.

Five minutes later Crammer turned provider, when her pace down the right hand side made room for a cross which Charlotte Poulain calmly controlled, cut onto her left foot and smashed past goalkeeper Zulma Orue.

Gonzalezs’ goal gave the Paruguay camp some hope just before halftime but Marine Augis put the match to bed in the 58th minute breaking clear down the right hand side before taking two bites at the apple to get it past Orue.

Controversy surrounded France’s final goal after substitute Camille Catala skipped past two challenges on the sideline and the linesman furiously waived his flag to signal a foul. The Paruguay defenders stopped however Kamnueng waived play on and Catala finished coolly on a tight angle.

Paruguay had the last word in a night to forget when Paola Genes capitalised on a mishit French clearance to lop her header over French keeper Laetitia Phillipe.

France showed an abundance of talent in attack and must now be seriously considered as title contenders, but first they have to get out of a very tough group, with games against the USA and Germany coming up.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008

France (3) 6 (CRAMMER 5’, 12’, 61’, POULAIN 17’, AUGIS 58’, CATALA 86’)

Paraguay (1)  2 (GONZALEZ 45+3’, GENES 90+2)

Waikato Stadium

Hamilton

New Zealand

Thursday 30 October 2008

Kick-off: 15h00

Attendance: 4800 

FRA: 1. Laetitia PHILIPPE; 3. Caroline LA VILLA; 5. Anaig BUTEL; 6. Lea RUBIO; 7. Ines JAURENA; 8. Charlotte POULAIN (20. Camille CATALA 33’); 9. Pauline CRAMMER (18. Justine DUBOIS 78’); 10. Solene BARBANCE; 11. Marina MAKANZA (12. Marine AUGIS 46’) 14. Kelly GADEA; 17. Kelly PERDRIZET;

Substitutes not used: 2. Floriane HELLIO; 4. Adeline ROUSSEAU;; 13. Rose LAVAUD; 15. Charlene OLIVIER; 16. Solene CHAUVET;; 19. Cindy THOMAS; 21. Laura GUILLEUX;

Yellow cards: Anaig BUTEL 23’; Lea RUBIO 57’

Red cards: Lea RUBIO 68’;

Coach: Gerard SERGENT(FRA)

PAR: 1. Zulma ORUE; 2. Erika ROLON; 3. Cris Mabel FLORES; 4. Noelia CUEVAS (: 8. Paola ZALAZAR 67’); 5. Paola GENES; 6. Jacqueline GONZALEZ; 7. Rebeca FERNANDEZ; 9. Karen RUIZ DIAZ (C) (19. Melissa TALAVERA 63’); 10. Ana FLEITAS; 11. Gloria VILLAMAYOR; 14. Evelyn ARMOA (20. Mara TALAVERA 22’)

Substitutes not used:; 12. Sara TORRES; 13. Raquel CARRERAS; 15. Macarena TOLEDO; 16. Mirna DIAZ; 17. Maria TOLEDO; 18. Jacqueline RIVAS;; 21. Vivian GONZALEZ;

Yellow cards:

Red cards: Jacqueline GONZALEZ 87’;

Coach: Carlos BAEZ (PAR)

Referee: Pannipar KAMNUENG(THA)

Assistant Referee 1: Kum Nyo HONG(PRK)

Assistant Referee 2: Yong Sun PAK (PRK)

4th official: CHRISTINA DORCIOMAN (ROU)

Group C Standings: