Azerbaijan graduates set to shine in Canada

Though yet to turn 20, a significant number of the players turning out at Canada 2014 already have valuable FIFA World Cup experience under their belts. The youngest of them were on show earlier this year at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014, while the majority had their baptism of fire two years ago, at the U-17 world finals in Azerbaijan.

It was there that we first caught sight of the likes of France defender Griedge Mbock Bathy and Germany midfielder Sara Daebritz, just two of the promising players who have built on their displays in Azerbaijan to become permanent fixtures in their national teams and, in Daebritz’s case, a European champion.

In total, nearly 100 of the 336 players taking part at Canada 2014 appeared at Azerbaijan 2012 and will now be looking to excel themselves on an even bigger stage. And with the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ just around the corner, some of them will even be dreaming of making a return to the Land of the Maple Leaf in around ten months’ time.

The value of experience

Korea DPR and New Zealand are the two sides boasting the largest contingents of Azerbaijan 2012 veterans. The North Koreans will be fielding 14 in total, including their biggest asset, goal machine Ri Un-Sim, who will be aiming to walk away with another adidas Golden Boot, having top-scored at the last U-17 world finals with eight goals in six games.

The upcoming finals in Canada will also provide the watching world with an opportunity to assess the progress being made by the New Zealanders, who boast 13 FIFA World Cup 'veterans', among them goalkeeper Lily Alfeld, who excelled two years ago with her superb reflexes and coolness in one-on-one situations.

Staying on the subject of custodians, we can hardly overlook the winner of the adidas Golden Glove at Azerbaijan 2012, France’s Romane Bruneau, who saved two spot-kicks and scored one in the penalty shootout that followed the final, playing a crucial part in Les Bleuettes’ triumph. Delighted to be back on the big stage again, Bruneau has only one objective in mind: “My ambition is to win this World Cup. Lifting the U-17 title has probably made the team stronger, as it gives you the experience you need to face a tournament like this.”

Team-mates Mbock Batty, who collected the adidas Golden Ball at Azerbaijan 2012, and captain Sandie Toletti are equally as excited about the challenge ahead. Having already made their senior debuts and won world U-17 and European U-19 titles with France, both are understandably anxious to pick up yet another career honour at Canada 2014.

Bakudaily.az