Mexico defeat Romania to win unprecedented ninth title on the bounce
|Image: Angelica Ibarra Rodriguez
Mexico defeated Romania in the women’s Homeless World Cup final in Seoul to win an unprecedented ninth title on the bounce.
After a finely-balanced first half which ended 1-1, the Central American side kicked into second gear in a dominant and classy second-half display that saw them run out eventual 5-2 winners.
Romania started the brighter of the two teams, with the Mexico goalkeeper called into action early on to produce a great save from a shot after good play down the left-hand wing.
It wasn’t long before Romania took the lead from the penalty spot following a Mexico infringement, with the Romania player burying her strike confidently into the top corner.
Mexico then missed the chance to draw level with a player skewing wide with the goal gaping as they searched to get themselves on level terms, before a Romania shot from the right flank almost crept in by the Mexico goalkeeper to give Romania a two-goal advantage.
Mexico then drew level after some fine play down the right-hand side and a brilliant pass across goal left a player free to slot home, before the Mexico goalkeeper produced a great save at point-blank range to deny Romania the chance to go into half-time a goal to the good.
After the restart, it was Mexico who took the lead, with a shot ricocheting back off the Romania goalkeeper into the path of a Mexico player to slot home from the rebound.
Soon Mexico were 3-1 up, after a Romania pass inside their own half was intercepted by a Mexico player to bury their shot under the Romania goalkeeper.
A fingertip save from the Mexico goalkeeper prevented Romania from reducing the deficit, before a Mexican player found themselves in space to squeeze a shot in by the Romania goalkeeper at the near post and put her team 4-1 up.
Soon it was 4-2 after a Romanian missile struck from the halfway line found the back of the Mexico net.
But any hopes of Romania staging a late comeback were jettisoned after a Mexico player found themselves in space at the edge of the opposite area to blast home and put Mexico 5-2 up.
Now content to hold onto their lead, Mexico sprayed the ball confidently around the park and limited any real Romania chances, before Mexico missed the chance to go 6-2 ahead at the death with a shot sailing over the bar.
It was the second time a female refereeing team had been in charge of the Women’s Homeless World Cup final. Head referee was former Welsh player Sarah Frohwein, said: “It was an honour to follow in (fellow Welsh woman) Natalie Handley’s steps and bring an all-female team to the final. I’m hoping for the future that women will start refereeing in the men’s finals, the men have done the women’s final so why can’t we do it? So it’s a push for the future.”
After the victory, Mexico captain Denis Chavarria Garrido said: “I’m very happy and content with the victory. It was a very intense match. Romania played very well but we got the win and now we are champions. Viva Mexico!”
Following the win for his side, Mexico coach Abraham Miranda Carlos said: “We are very happy. It was a great effort. The victory was the fruit of a process which started months ago for these girls. They’ve achieved their dreams and won a World Cup. I’m very proud of them.”
Words: Craig Williams
Images: Angelica Ibarra Rodriguez