Samoa have produced a much-improved performance at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, despite losing 7-0 to China PR in Morocco.
The Oceania representatives showed greater resilience than in their opening Group E match, when they suffered a 17-0 defeat to the United States.
However, China PR proved too strong, scoring four goals before half-time and adding three more after the interval.
Fang Zhenzhu opened the scoring with a sixth-minute penalty before Xu Yue struck twice in four minutes, finding the net in the 25th and 29th minutes.
Main photo: China PR’s Fang Zhenzhu. Photo credit: FIFA.
Cheng Wandi extended China’s lead to 4-0 in the 39th minute, leaving Samoa facing another difficult second half.
Cheng converted another penalty in the 57th minute before Liu Yuxi scored in the 69th minute.
Yang Lan completed the scoring in the 76th minute.
Despite the result, Samoa coach Juan Chang Urrea was encouraged by his team’s improvement.
“We knew it was never going to be an easy task against China PR — we knew it was going to be a tough one.
“But I do think that we did improve and we added another layer for us. We’re just going to continue to learn.
“These are tough games — we’re talking about the top teams in the world; it’s a great learning opportunity for us.”
China PR goalscorer Cheng Wandi was pleased with her contribution and looked ahead to her team’s next challenge.
“I’m really happy for the two goals I got today, but more importantly, I think I still need to improve and do better in the next game against the USA.
“I’m happy that we’ve already gotten to the knockout stage of this tournament, so we will do our best and I think we need to go further.
“I’m really expecting a tough game, but I’m excited about it.”
Samoa will complete their Group E programme against Kenya on Monday October 26, 2026 (NZT), seeking their first goal of the tournament.
Meanwhile, New Zealand play their final group game on Saturday morning (NZT) when they face Argentina.
Results
Games played on Friday October 23, 2026 (NZT)
United States 6 (Maddie DiMaria 5′, 22′, 35′ pen, 45+2′ pen, Loradana Paletta 48′, Gianna Hanf 90+3′)
Kenya 1 (Lindey Atieno 90+5′)
China PR 7 (Fang Zhenzhu 6′ pen, Xu Yue 25′, 29′, Cheng Wandi 39′, 57′ pen, Liu Xuxi 69′, Yang Lan 76′)
Samoa 0
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Group E
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
United States
2
2
0
0
23
1
22
6
China PR
2
2
0
0
10
0
10
6
Kenya
2
0
0
2
0
9
-8
0
Samoa
2
0
0
2
0
24
-24
0
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday October 24, 2026 (NZT)
Group A
New Zealand v Germany
Mohammed VI Football Academy (Pitch 3), Salé, Morocco, 7am (NZT)
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Group A
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Germany
2
2
0
0
6
3
3
6
Morocco
2
1
0
1
6
4
2
3
Argentina
2
1
0
1
3
2
1
3
New Zealand
2
0
0
2
0
6
-6
0
This story was first published on October 23, 2026.