Malawi (12) v (5) Canada

Malawi (12) v (5) Canada

 
The match started at a frantic pace, with the Malawian keeper thrust straight into the action with an early diving save.
 
The crowd sensed the importance of the game and were doing their best to will the teams on, and it was Malawi who responded to this first through a big first-minute strike from Sylus Otis Liwindo (click here to read a feature on Liwindo).
 
Canada's irrepressible Krystal Bell took on the leadship role in attack and defence, marshalling her troops and giving instructions as she has done all tournament.
 
Despite the Canadian efforts, it was the Malawians who did all the damge on the scoreboard.  Elizabeth Mtambo sent one left of a diving keeper, and was soon followed by another two in succession from Liwindo, who was proving more than a handful in attack.
 
Malawi never seemed rushed, working forward patiently, taking a 5-0 lead in the fourth minute. The Canadians struggled to keep up, but countered the Malawian aggression with strong defensive tackling by Bell and an ingenious shot from the back wall that almost found the net.
 
Canada's first score was the result of brilliant team play, moving the ball smoothly from defence to attack, using the angles move the keeper out of position.
 
But unfortunately for the North Americans, it only served to punctuate another two goals from Liwindo, who had five to half-time, giving his country a 7-1 lead.
 
During the break, Bell was full of encouragement for her teammates, giving out high-fives and pats on the back, urging them to come out hard again in the second half.
 
The defensive pressure of the Canadians certainly stepped up a notch, but Donald Richard was simply unstoppable, kicking another two in the opening minute, the second through exceptional use of the walls by his countrymen.
 
The increased tempo of the Canadians excited the crowd, and a wild cheer went up when Basile Pagonis scored a hard-earned second goal.  At 9-2, the Canadians had a lot work to do, but with the enormous Fed Square crowd behind them, anything seemed possible.
 
Two goals from corner roll-ins to Bell showed the Canadians were switched on and had their game plan working, but the pace and execution of the Malawians proved too much for them, as the Africans slammed home three in the final two minutes, courtesy of Frecha Bottom Chirwa, Donald Richard, and, of course, Liwindo.
 
The livewire up forward scored an incredible eight goals in his side's 12-5 win over Canada, and said for him the win was "perfect".
 
"This win will put Malawi on the map," Liwindo said.  "There will be a big crowd to welcome us home."
 
Malawian team manager Patricio Collins Kuleneka said he was immensely proud his team and what they were doing to help fight the problem of homelessness.
 
"This is a real step forward.  It is great encouragement for these players and for the people at home that we can be part of the solution to the global concern that is homelessness," Kuleneka said.
 
"It shows that we can help fight the problem, and that football can change the world."

Photos: Photoworx