Elizabeth Aben: New Caledonia's shining light

• New Caledonia are looking to bounce back after heavy defeats at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup

• Despite those losses, Elizabeth Aben impressed between the sticks, making 22 saves against Spain

• Her coach and teammates hail the young keeper as a star on the rise

Considering her team lost 11-0 against Spain in their second outing at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™, it seems a little unusual to say that the goalkeeper played well on the losing team, but the truth is that Elizabeth Aben was superb.

There was very little she could have done about the goals conceded, and she made 22 saves to keep the score down against a rampant Spain side. There is no doubt that the tournament record margin – which La Rojita managed to equal against New Caledonia – would have been beaten if it weren't for her.

"I wasn't aware of that during the match, I was just focused on the game, and now that you've told me that, I'm shocked," said Aben in a post-match interview with FIFA. "So, I'm proud of myself too. And like the coach said to us, the result on the scoreboard doesn't matter: that's not the most important thing."

Shedding "tears of joy" after an extraordinary Polish adventure for her side – on which no heavy defeat could ever put a damper – the New Caledonia captain, Kenza Kenon, was full of praise for her goalkeeper.

"Honestly, she's always been very professional and she really has got a lot of potential, but I think all the girls have got lots of potential," affirmed the New Caledonian No4. "Elizabeth is very, very good. She's in our team, and we're very proud to have her with us."

But the way she has been performing at this World Cup is no surprise to Leon Waitronyie, the New Caledonia head coach, who was quick to praise his keeper.

"She has already performed like that at Oceania level, but we're talking about the biggest women's youth football tournament in the world. I think she's really stepped up to the plate."

It was not only against Spain that Aben impressed, also playing well in the opening 5-0 defeat by China PR – in fact, so well that her side went in level at the break.

Her bravery must also be noted, having decided to carry on playing despite sustaining an injury in the first half.

"I just had to grit my teeth at half-time, but after that, it also plays on your mind. But I got through it. I couldn't let my team down like that."

New Caledonia may well have travelled much further than their opponents to get to Poland, but all their players have managed to shine – in their own special way – on the greatest stage of all.

And whatever happens against Nigeria on Sunday, Aben has already shared her warmth and left her mark on the 12th edition of the Women's U-20 World Cup.