Women’s U17s: Hungary finish elite round in style

Having drawn 1-1 with Greece and then being on the receiving end of a 3-0 reverse against England in their first two elite round matches, the final group match against Georgia was all about pride for Hungary. Head coach Dorottya Schumi rang the changes, with four of the starting XI – Dorina Borók, Blank Bokor, Anna Sain and Csilla Savanya – being born in 2004.

Georgia had conceded 11 goals and failed to score in their first two matches, and it was clear why as the match progressed, Hungary’s opponents rarely able to break out of their own half as they set up to frustrate their hosts with a packed defence. Hungary dominated possession as well as held territorial advantage but failed to create any clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes, prompting Schumi to plump for a triple substitution and change of formation at half-time.

Those changes made an immediate impact, Blanka Bokor – on her debut – opening the scoring in the 51st minute as she swept home a cut-back from Dorottya Czellér. Five minutes later it was two, Czellér being fouled in the box and Luca Papp sweeping the penalty home with aplomb.

Hungary continued to attack, the third goal duly arriving courtesy of a fine Czellér strike from the corner of the box after 64 minutes. Bernadett Stefán, Papp and Laura Palakovics all come close thereafter as Georgia somehow succeeded in keeping their opponents at bay, eventually mustering their first shot of the match in the 89th minute. Moments later, Hungary had their fourth – enough to take them ahead of Greece into second place in the group – as substitute Emőke Pápai scored with a header at the second attempt, her first headed effort being deflected onto the crossbar by a defender, with Czellér again involved in the build-up.

England defeated Greece 2-0 in their final match, winning the group with three wins from three and a goal-difference of 13-0. Hungary edged Greece on four points courtesy of having scored one more goal (a goal difference of 5-4 as compared to 4-3), with Georgia propping up the table with three defeats, none scored and fifteen conceded.

“We changed to a more attacking system after the break, and from then on in the chances began to flow”, said Dorottya Schumi. “The goals came at the right time. There mightn’t have been anything at stake, but we wanted to bow out with a victory and second place. There’s a feeling inside me of what might have been; we would have liked to qualify for the European Championship, but we conceded a number of avoidable goals in our first two matches,” she added.

Hungary 4-0 Georgia (HT: 0-0)

Goalscorers: Blanka Bokor (51’), Luca Papp (55’ pen), Dorottya Czellér (64’), Emőke Pápai (89’)

Hungary: Dorina Borók – Lora Legendás (Kata Buzás, 46’), Anna Sain (Emőke Pápai, 46’), Beatrix Fördős, Rebeka Róth – Csilla Savanya, Blanka Bokor – Dorottya Czellér, Luca Papp, Bernadett Stefán – Lilla Török (Laura Palakovics, 46’)