Zambia (7) v (1) Liberia
By George ThomsonDOMINANT Zambia won the inaugural Women's Homeless World Cup after a comfortable 7-1 win over Liberia. Boasting a 100 pre cent record from its eight games at the tournament, Zambia was unquestionably the strongest team on show in Melbourne.
While Zambia entered the final as heavy favourites due to their imperious form during the group stage, Liberia were not to be dismissed as also-rans. Having won all but one of their opening matches, the West African side had every right to believe they could pull off a shock win.
Unfortunately Liberia were forced to field a depleted team, and were brushed aside by the Chipolopolo. Zambia dictated the pace of the game from start to finish, dominating possession with quick passing interchanges.
Star of the show was Zambian striker Sarah Daka, whose all-round game was too much for the creaking Liberian defence. Mixing raw pace with intelligent running, Daka pulled Liberia's tiring back line away from goal, creating space for her teammates to exploit. Comfortable with the ball at her feet, Daka used drag-backs and Cryuff turns to wriggle clear of defenders and create room to shoot.
Daka opened the scoring in the second minute, arriving at the back post to slot home Merinda Namafe's square ball.
The opening minutes saw numerous rough and ready physical exchanges, most notably when Liberia's Dehkontee Sayon sent a Zambian flying. However Sayon's immediate concern for her opponent epitomised the spirit that ran through this high stakes game, and was warmly appreciated by the crowd.
As the half wore on Zambia continued to turn the screw. Namafe doubled their lead from a rebound, and after Liberia wasted a penalty opportunity, Daka notched her second with a neat finish.
Trailing 3-0 from the first half, Liberia came out fighting after the break. Their longest period of pressure drew several saves out of Zambian keeper Chiluba, but failed to break their duck. With the threat of Daka unrelenting, they were made to rue their profligacy. The star striker completed her hat-trick with a blistering shot into the bottom corner.
Liberia's consolation was that they scored the goal of the match just moments later. A shot from Sayon rebounded to the half way line where Bendu Goi arrived, lashing a rising drive into the roof of the net.
Zambia, whose players had all displayed admirable ease on the ball despite the pressures of the final, were never likely to let their lead slip. Three more goals were added, with two for the irrepressible Daka, as they closed out their win 7-1.
Wild celebrations by the players and staff followed their win, while the Federation Square crowd showed warm appreciation for a deserved victory.
After the game, James and John Chibuye, the brothers who act as team manager and coach respectively, praised their team for the excellent standard of football they had maintained throughout the tournament.
Buoyed by their win, the players aim to throw their energies into their grassroots program back home in Zambia.
Photos: Photoworx
