A goal on either side of the half from striker Ysaura Viso inspired debutantes Venezuela to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over New Zealand in their Group C opener of the Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on Monday night. In the day's first match, Spain got a goal each from four different players in a 4-1 win over Japan. In the night's second match, New Zealand started strongly and were rewarded on ten minutes as Kate Loye collected a rebound in the penalty area to score from close range.
However, in the 24th minute Venezuelan striker Ysaura Viso found space on the corner of the penalty area and fired in a cross-shot, which proved unstoppable for goalkeeper Chloe-May Geurts. Viso continued to be a constant menace and she headed against the post just a minute after the break. New Zealand's Olivia Chance created a number of openings with her left-flank promptings, while team-mate Tessa McPherson fired from close-range on 65 minutes, only for goalkeeper Maleike Pacheco to make an impressive stop.
The importance of the save was amplified just two minutes later as Viso grabbed what proved to be the winner when she outran the New Zealand defence to poke home a right footer after a long ball over the top from in her half. Pacheco then pulled off saves from Brittany Dudley Smith, Megan Lee and Chance to keep the Kiwis from getting back on level terms and in so doing creating some history for her team. It was Venezuela's first win in their first match at a Fifa women's tournament. Spain will next face New Zealand tomorrow while Japan takes on Venezuela.
