The group stage has reached its denouement at FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™, with Groups C and D’s final fixtures taking place on Wednesday 23 October.
Group C’s quarter-finalists are settled, with only the matter of first and second place to be decided in the match between Korea DPR and England. Group D holds a more uncertain future; Poland and Japan sit joint top of the table with Brazil just a point behind, making for a make-or-break final day for the last eight hopefuls.
Group C
England v Korea DPR
CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros
Kick-off times
۱۹:۰۰: Santiago de los Caballeros
۰۰:۰۰ (Thursday): London
۰۸:۰۰ (Thursday): Pyongyang
The match
The two quarter-finalists from Group C secured their progression in very different fashions. While Korea DPR put Mexico and Kenya to the sword without a scare, England booked their ticket to the knockout round with a thrilling comeback victory against Mexico. After falling 2-1 behind and collecting a red card less than ten minutes later, goals from Nelly Las, Rachel Maltby and Olivia Johnson completed a heart-stopping turnaround. This game sees dominance meet determination in the race for top spot.
Mexico v Kenya
Felix Sanchez Stadium, Santo Domingo
Kick-off times
۱۹:۰۰: Santo Domingo
۱۷:۰۰: Mexico City
۰۲:۰۰ (Thursday): Nairobi
The match
Pride may be all that’s at stake in this fixture, with both nations already eliminated, but Mexico and Kenya are certain to still put on a show in Santo Domingo to give their vibrant fans something to cheer for. Mexico have won at least one game in each of their previous six U-17 Women’s World Cup appearances, and will have to put heartbreak against England behind them to maintain that record against a Kenya side in search of their first ever victory in this competition.
GROUP D
Zambia v Japan
Felix Sanchez Stadium, Santo Domingo
Kick-off times
۱۶:۰۰: Santo Domingo
۲۲:۰۰: Lusaka
۰۵:۰۰ (Thursday): Tokyo
The match
Japan face an eliminated Zambia side knowing a win would guarantee safe passage to the quarter-finals, a feat they have managed at every one of the seven previous editions of this tournament. The 2014 winners will be keen to follow up their comeback win over Brazil with another three points to ensure their remarkable record in this competition is maintained in style, while Zambia will be hoping to score their first goal of the tournament before their journey home.
Poland v Brazil
CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros
Kick-off times
۱۶:۰۰: Santiago de los Caballeros
۲۲:۰۰: Warsaw
۱۷:۰۰: Brasilia
The match
As debut tournaments go, they don’t come much better than Poland’s first foray into the U-17 Women’s World Cup. Unbeaten and the only team in the competition yet to concede a goal, a third consecutive clean sheet would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals. Brazil have won their final group game at the last two editions of this tournament; breaking down Poland’s defensive wall and following this winning trend would confirm a fourth quarter-final appearance.
