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 [February 22, 2023]
(Reuters) -Portugal sealed a 2-1 victory over Cameroon and
Haiti defeated Chile 2-1 in the final qualifying playoffs in New
Zealand on Wednesday, securing berths for both winners at soccer's
upcoming Women's World Cup.
Portugal will be in Group E at the World Cup alongside defending
champions United States, Vietnam and the Netherlands, while Haiti
will be in Group D with England, Denmark and China.
Paraguay and Panama will meet on Thursday to decide the final team
that will qualify for this year's World Cup, which will be the first
edition to feature 32 teams. The event will be held in New Zealand
and Australia from July 20 to Aug. 20.
Portugal, who secured World Cup qualification for the first time,
made a solid start at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton and went 1-0 ahead
in the 22nd minute after defender Diana Gomes scored from a rebound
following a free kick.
Portugal could have made it 2-0 before the break but Jessica Silva
failed to connect with Diana Silva's cross in the box. Diana later
had a thumping effort saved by the goalkeeper and she also sent an
acrobatic shot wide early in the second half.
Cameroon's Michaela Abam had a goal ruled out for offside in the
84th minute but Ajara Nchout finally equalised five minutes later
when she latched on to a pass from Monique Ngock and scored on the
turn, unleashing a left-footed shot.
Portugal were handed a penalty in stoppage time for a handball by
Estelle Johnson, and Carole Costa made no mistake in finding the net
from the spot.
Haiti will also play at the World Cup for the first time after two
goals by Melchie Dumonay guided them to victory at North Harbour
Stadium in Auckland.
Midfielder Dumonay opened the scoring at the stroke of half time
with a powerful strike into the top corner as she finished off a
brilliant team move and followed it up with a celebratory backflip.
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Soccer Football - Women's World Cup
Playoff - Senegal v Haiti - North Harbour Stadium - Auckland, New
Zealand - February 18, 2023 Haiti's Nerilia Mondesir celebrates
scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/David Rowland
Striker Roselord Borgella missed an opportunity to add another
before the break and captain Nerilia Mondesir had a penalty kick
saved in the 89th minute after Isidora Olave was penalised for a
shirt pull in the box following a VAR review.
Mondesir later made amends by setting up the second goal for Dumonay,
who doubled their lead in the eighth minute of stoppage time with a
low shot into the bottom corner.
Maria Rojas found the net for Chile soon after following a
goalkeeping error, but it proved to be a consolation goal as they
failed to secure a second successive appearance at the World Cup.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher
Cushing, Bradley Perrett, Peter Graff)
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