Falconets, the Nigerian U-20 women’s team have advanced to the quarter-finals after setting a World Cup group stage-perfect record for themselves against Canada.
The team in grand style scored 3-1 on Wednesday at the
ongoing 10th FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
In spite of hard-fought victories over France and Korea
Republic, the Nigerian side were favourites to win the match even though they
had already secured a final eight place.
They did concede their first goal of the competition in the
match, but they never looked back after drawing level thereafter.
Goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s poor management of a backpass from
Jumoke Alani granted Kala Novak a fortuitous goal less than two minutes after
kick-off.
“It was great for us to come back from that setback, and
also concede first in the tournament. But we showed character and spirit after
that, and that would be huge for us going forward in the competition,” team
head coach Christopher Danjuma said after the match.
Esther Onyenezide, whose vicious curling shot earned all
three points against the Korea Republic late on, to send the Falconets into the
last eight Sunday, soon drew them level.
She scored from the penalty kick spot in the 24th minute
after Canadian defender Mia Pante had handled the ball from a Blessing Okpe
shot in the penalty box.
The Falconets did look composed and surefooted in the middle
with the return of Deborah Abiodun, who sat out the encounter with the Koreans.
Chiamaka Okwuchukwu also played an inspiring game after
starting for the first time in the tournament.
Her firm header from an Okpe cross in the 15th minute had
missed narrowly.
Onyenezide however went on to shoot Nigeria ahead, also from
the penalty kick spot, in the 32nd minute.
This was after Simi Awujo’s dangerous play against Mercy
Idoko was penalised when Idoko went for a header from Rofiat Imuran’s
inswinger.
In the added time of first period, Idoko came close to
scoring her first goal of the tournament, but her touch from another Imuran
inswinger brushed the upright.
In the second half, the Falconets added pace and brilliant
use of space to their game.
It was no surprise then when Imuran, again with a visionary
cross, set up substitute Chioma Olise for Nigeria’s third goal.
Their imperial campaign in the group stage earns the
Falconets a quarter-final date with The Netherlands in Alajuela on Sunday.
NAN
0 comments:
Post a Comment