Shime: Tanzanite Queens still have knockout-stage chance

ENGLAND: TANZANITE Queens Head Coach Bakari Shime admitted his side must improve defensively but remained confident of reaching the knockout stage despite suffering a second successive defeat at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Tanzania lost 4-1 to Brazil in their opening Group B match before going down 5-1 to England on Tuesday, leaving them bottom of the group without a point.

Brazil lead the group on six points, followed by England on four, while Canada have one point. Shime, however, said he was encouraged by the improvement against England, particularly in attack.

“In the previous match, I said the girls struggled to follow instructions and played with fear. Today there was a big improvement,” Shime said.

“We found it difficult to win the ball at times, but when we had possession, we were able to build attacks. We had nine attempts compared with 15 by England, whereas against Brazil we managed only two attempts at goal.”

Tanzania’s hopes were dented by two early penalties, while England also found joy down the right flank, with all four goals coming from that side.

“We made some mistakes that affected the result. The two quick penalties added to our problems, but these are normal mistakes in football,” Shime said.

“Our opponents were better on the flanks, especially on the right. It took us too long to control that area and it affected us significantly because all the goals came from there.”

Despite the defeat, Shime believes the Queens can respond against Canada in their final group match in Mtwara tomorrow. Tanzania must win to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

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A victory would give them three points and keep alive their hopes of finishing third and qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams.

The top two teams in each of the six groups qualify automatically, with the four best third-placed sides completing the knockoutstage line-up.

“We still have a chance to progress. If we win the final match, we will have three points and can fight for third place, which could allow us to advance as one of the best third-placed teams,” Shime said.

“A draw or defeat would end our hopes, so we have to prepare well and correct the mistakes we have made.”

Canada, who have one point after their opening matches, will also be fighting to keep their campaign alive, setting up a decisive final Group B encounter.

Shime said the improvements made against England give him confidence that the Queens can produce the performance required.