MUMBAI: Veronica Mapunda’s strike powered Tanzania to hang on for a 1-1 draw against Canada on Tuesday to qualify for the quarter-finals in their maiden FIFA U7 Women’s World Cup campaign.

In the last Group D fixture between Tanzania and Canada, the debutant side held their nerves calm as they forced a tie, which resulted in them qualifying for their first quarter-finals in the U17 Women’s World Cup.

With the quarter-finals berth on stake, Canada took the field with an attacking approach and tested Tanzania’s defences multiple times.

The domination soon turned into a goal as Amanda Marrie Allen fired the ball into the nets on penalty in the 14th minute, following an offensive tackle by Tanzania’s defence.

Canada’s early lead in the must-win game shortlived as Mapunda neutralized Canada’s lead to 1-1 after her left-foot strike crashed into the nets.

The rest of the match witnessed Canada searching for the tie-breaker but Tanzania’s defence denied their march and kept the scoreboard intact at 1-1 till the final whistle.

Following their draw against Canada, Tanzania sealed a quarter-final spot as they finished Group D with four points, behind Japan with nine.

On the other hand, Japan kept their unbeaten run intact as they downed France 2-0 to finish Group D standings on top in the other fixture on Tuesday.

Momoko Tanikawa opened the scoring for Japan in the 29th minute to push France on the back foot.

France kept searching for the equalizer in the remainder but it was Japan’s Sayami Kusunoki, who struck in the stoppage time to enhance Japan’s lead to 2-0.

Following the conclusion of the group stages, all four quarter-final matches of the mega event have been set and will take place on October 21 and 22.

The table-toppers of Group A – the United States of America (USA) – will take on Nigeria on Friday, while Germany will take on Brazil on the same day.

Tanzania will lock horns with Colombia in the third quarter-final on Saturday, whereas, the table-toppers of Group D – Japan – and defending champions – Spain – will collide in the fourth quarter-final.

The action-filled tournament is being telecasted live on Pakistan’s first HD Sports channel – A Sports and is simultaneously streamed on the digital platform of ARY Digital Network – ARY ZAP in crystal clear HD quality.

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