Crop of stars on show

Sports

COME Sunday, there will be several players raring to seize their latest chance to show off their talents on the big stage at the Under-20 women’s soccer World Cup.
Many of those involved have already shone for their national teams firstly at the Rio Olympics women’s football tournament in August and the U17 women’s World Cup in Jordan, which finished just a couple of weeks ago.
Stars to look out for
Canada’s Deanne Rose is one of the high-profile players taking part in the U20 World Cup, as it will be her third major tournament this year.
Part of the Canadian team that stormed to third place in Rio, Rose played in five matches and scored in the bronze medal match against hosts Brazil.
What is more, last month she played in three matches at Jordan, scoring a goal against Germany in the group stage. Will Rose be able to hit the back of the net again in PNG?
In the quarter-finals at the Olympics, the Canadian youngster came up against another starlet who will also be taking part in Port Moresby: France’s Sakina Karchaoui.
The gifted defender played in two matches at Rio 2016, including France’s victory over New Zealand.
New Zealand star Jasmine Pereira was also at that match and will have the chance to get her own revenge back on Karchaoui when the two teams meet in group C on Nov 21.
Group C also features another rising star from Rio 2016, American player Mallory Pugh, who took part in three matches in Rio, including the quarter-final, where USA lost on penalties to Sweden after drawing 1-1.
Swedish player Stina Blackstenius, who scored the opening goal in that match, will also be in PNG and is hoping for yet more success after helping fire Sweden to silver at the Games.
Another date with destiny
After playing a full part in North Korea’s run to victory at the U17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan two weeks ago, Sung Hyang-Sim and her teammate Ok Kum-Ju, will be back in action aiming to claim another winner’s medal.
The North Koreans’ last title win at the U20 women’s World Cup was in 2006.
Ghana will be looking for Sandra Owusu-Ansah to be in top form after scoring two goals at Jordan and captaining her country to the quarter-finals — where they lost to the eventual winners.
The other team representing Africa at the World Cup, Nigeria, have high hopes for Rasheedat Ajibade, who played in Jordan and was named player-of-the-match against England in the group stage.
New Zealander Hannah Blake will be looking to build on the hat-trick she scored in Jordan when she represents the Kiwis in group C.
Last but not least, Venezuelan goalkeeper Nayluisa Caceres is hoping to catch the eye again at this tournament, just as she did when helping her country to the semifinals at the U17 women’s World Cup early this year.