WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Flourish flourishes as Falconets continue winning streak over Korea
At a time when most Nigerians were predictably asleep, the Super Falconets were in labour, delivering yet another victory over Korea Republic at the Estadio El Techo, Bogota in Colombia.
They did what they knew best to do – delivering a win over Korea who for the fourth time in a row are losing to the resilient Nigeria U-20 women’s team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Nigeria won 1-0.
Great girls! They have made it four victories from four meetings with Korea Republic at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having won 2-0 in 2012, 2-1 in 2014 and 1-0 in 2022.
The Falconets also build more on their tournament’s growing profile. They have lost only two of their last 23 group games in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
In an encounter that appeared to be heading to a barren draw, Flourish Sabastine was the last-gasp heroine as her goal changed the scoreline.
In a game played at 12 midnight Nigeria’s time, Korea Republic had the first big chance.
Cho Hyeyoung produced an excellent, inviting cross from the left. Park Soojeong threw herself towards the ball but, from point-blank range, was just inches away from making a connection.
Back came Nigeria. Lucky Nkpa, just 16, charged through the midfield, played a neat one-two with Rofiat Imuran, and shot just over.
The game began to swing from end to end. Cho fired wide after some crowd-pleasing trickery, before Kim Shinji rattled the crossbar just before the half-time whistle.
Nigeria had the better of the second period. Imuran fired a free-kick narrowly wide shortly after the restart, while Chiamaka Okwuchukwu danced her way past two opponents and brought a block out of Woo Seobin.
They finally made the breakthrough late on when Sabastine’s attempted cross deceived Seobin and went in.
The teams will return to action in Bogota on Wednesday, with Nigeria meeting Germany and Korea Republic facing Venezuela.
Japan survived a late scare against Nigeria to set up a re-match of the 2022 final with Spain in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
In rainy Bogota, Miyu Matsunaga’s free header just after the half hour was enough to send Japan to the break with a lead, as they have done at every match at Colombia 2024.
Maya Hijikata then doubled the advantage midway through the second term, tucking home a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai at the back post; that goal taking her joint-top of the adidas Golden Boot race with Brazil’s Vendito.
Olushola Shobowale did manage to pull one back for Nigeria in stoppage time but they couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win and set up that epic quarter-final clash with Spain. It is a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
Africa’s biggest hope for podium appearance at the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, Nigeria, have returned to the Colombia capital, Bogota, ahead of Friday morning’s Round of 16 clash with Japan.
Japan, one of the strongest forces in women’s football globally, topped Group E that also included Austria, New Zealand and one of Africa’s flag-bearers Ghana. Ghana crashed out of the tournament after losing to Japan and Austria, and a narrow win over New Zealand.
The Falconets reached the Round of 16 after pipping Korea Republic 1-0 and losing 1-3 to Germany, and then earning a fabulous 4-0 win over Venezuela in Cali.
“The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts. We will be taking the knockout stages one match at a time. I must tell you that we are excited at the prospects of facing Japan and what that brings forth,” Coach Chris Musa Danjuma said on his team’s return to the capital on Wednesday night.
The clash between Nigeria and Japan will hold at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota – where the Falconets played their first two matches of the group phase against Korea Republic and Germany – starting from 2am Nigeria time (8pm, Thursday in Colombia) on Friday, 13th September.
Nigeria Super Falconets gave Nigerians additional joy after their 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in Cali, Colombia in their last group match. Their victory followed up with an earlier 3-0 win by the Super Eagles in their opening Group D match with Benin Republic in Uyo.
The Falconets’ win means they have qualified for the Round of 16 where they are most likely going to face Japan when the group games are completed on Sunday.
Both Nigeria and Germany tied on six points, but Germany have one goal better than Nigeria on goal difference.
The Super Falcons made early hays when Amina Bello put Nigeria ahead after 16 minutes. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu doubled the lead in the 28th minute before Flourish Sebastine put in the third five minutes into the added time of the first half. Joy Igbokwe put in the back breaker four minutes into the added time of the second hald.
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
Nigeria’s Victor Olatunji becomes third African scoring debutant in Uefa Champions League
Lagos sports writers mourn Adeyinka Adebayo
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
AFCON1 week agoSuper Eagles lead Afcon Group D qualifiers despite Benin’s defeat of Libya
-
AFCON1 week agoAustin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week agoWhy I benched Osimhen again – Eguavoen
-
AFCON1 week agoRwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
Nigerian Football1 week agoWesterhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
AFCON1 week agoNigeria’s managerial crisis resumes as Eguavoen reportedly declines to continue
-
AFCON1 week agoPresent and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup6 days agoEnyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs