Colombia and Spain through to semifinals

Colombia’s Linda Caicedo took just three minutes to show why, at the age of only 17, she is already one of South America’s greatest players.

Making light of torrential rain, the No 11 put her side ahead with a cool dink over Tanzania keeper Zulfa Makau after being played in on goal.

Colombia doubled their lead a quarter of an hour later, with Yesica Munoz getting on the end of Cristina Motta’s fine cross to power an excellent header past Makau. Tanzania’s plight was made even worse just minutes later, when Zainabu Ally saw red for a dangerous tackle on Juana Ortegon.

The African side’s misery was complete when Makau brought down Munoz in the box ten minutes before halftime to give away a penalty. The unfortunate Makau picked up an injury in the process and had to be substituted, leaving her replacement, Husna Mtunda, to fish the ball out of the net after Gabriela Rodriguez converted the spot-kick.

Colombia, who had the vociferous support of the fans at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, spent the rest of the match defending their lead. Keeping one eye on the upcoming semifinal against Nigeria, they took Caicedo off nine minutes into the second half.

Tanzania ended the match with nine players, with Noela Luhala picking up a second yellow three minutes from time. Though it was a day to forget for them, the result took none of the gloss off their achievement in reaching the last eight on the country’s tournament debut.

“I’m delighted with today’s result and with the performance out on the pitch. We need to think about the semifinals now and to keep on working,” Colombia midfielder Juana Ortegon

As expected, the game began with both sides showing their desire to build patiently from the back. While Japan were happy to try their luck from distance, the Spanish tried to play their way into the opposition box.

The tactic brought the Europeans a golden opportunity to take the lead ten minutes before the break, when Carla Camacho was upended by Japan keeper Uruha Iwasaki after running on to Vicky Lopez’s fine through ball. After dusting herself down, Camacho fired the penalty over the bar.

JAPAN v SPAIN

Japan’s willingness to shoot from long range brought them the lead 21 minutes into the second half. It came from a familiar source, as Momoko Tanikawa powered a left-footed strike from well outside the box in off the underside of the crossbar.

Spain were not about to give up, however, and pulled level with just four minutes remaining. Paula Partido’s cross caused mayhem in the Japan box, and after Jone Amezaga had a shot blocked, the ball fell to Lopez, whose half-volley slipped through Iwasaki’s fingers and into the back of the net.

The European side completed their fightback with just a minute of stoppage time remaining. A fine move down the left ended with Lopez skipping past a couple of defenders before clipping the ball home to send Spain through.

They will now take on Germany in an all-European semifinal.

“We knew Japan like to play and keep possession as much as we do. They’ve got a lot of quality players but our coaching staff came up with a great game plan and we managed to get the win, ” Spain midfielder Vicky Lopez

Source:Fifa.com