Rising star Karchaoui seeking more days in the sun - FIFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
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| AFP |
Whoever said that 20 is not the best age? Sakina Karchaoui would certainly not share that sentiment, even if she looks destined for an even brighter future. The Frenchwoman has not endured much by way of blues since entering her third decade – instead, she has enjoyed a purple patch that has brought her increasing international recognition.
After making her full debut for France, she went on to catch the eye at the Women's Olympic Tournament Rio 2016 and is now gearing up for her first steps in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, in the sunny climes of Papua New Guinea.
Like a lucky star following her, the sun seems to be shining on this native of Salon-de-Provence, in the south of France, who grew up in the nearby town of Miramas and happily spent most of her holidays in her parents' homeland of Morocco. It was in her local neighbourhood that her passion for football was born and where she first began to dazzle with a ball at feet.
"I was a girl who only played with the boys," she told FIFA.com, "They didn't do things any differently when I played with them." Except when she outshone them, that is: "We all wanted to be the most skilful. Granted, when I dribbled past a boy, they'd all start shouting," she went on light-heartedly.
After two years at her local club, she joined Montpellier, where she steadily rose through the ranks before nailing down a place in the first team last term. So impressive were her performances that Les Bleues came calling in April.
"I had the season I needed to," she said matter-of-factly. "As a result I made my first appearance for the senior national team and was selected for the Olympic Games. That took me aback – I wasn't expecting it, but I gave my all," she added in reference to being drafted into the squad for the tournament in Brazil after both Laura Georges and Laure Boulleau were ruled out through injury.
A place in the sun
"Those injuries allowed me to break into the team quicker than I might have otherwise, but when you get an opportunity like that, you've got to rise to the occasion and seize it. I was a back-up for the Olympics and I went there thinking I wouldn't play, although deep down I was hopeful. In the end I played in the last two games and I went away having had a positive experience, despite the defeat," said the defender, who featured in both France's group-stage victory over New Zealand and their loss to Canada in the quarter-finals.
Karchaoui is the only French player in Papua New Guinea who went to the Games and she has not been shy about passing on what she learned to her team-mates. That said, she is far from the sole figure in the expedition to have graced the highest level: "There are girls in the group who won the U-17 Women's World Cup, so they know what it's all about. As for those, myself included, who haven't won anything with France yet, we're keen to write our own names in history. We're all determined."
No fewer than five members of the current U-20 squad lifted the U-17 trophy at Azerbaijan 2012, and their experience, coupled with Karchaoui's, is sure to prove an asset in the battle for glory in Port Moresby, where Les Bleuettes get their Group C challenge underway against USA at the PNG Football Stadium on Monday.
"We're in a tough group against some very physical opponents," said the Montpellier youngster. "We'll have to play to our strengths. Our game is very technical – a lot of our play comes in tight spaces, and we make use of pace down the flanks."
It is precisely in the latter area that Karchaoui, an attacking midfielder turned left-back, will be looking to spread her wings. If she can continue to showcase her defensive prowess, power and crossing ability, it will bode well both for France and for her own prospects of enjoying many more days in the sun.