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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Zambia fall to five-star Japan

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There was no fairy tale FIFA Women’s World Cup debut for Zambia, as a well-oiled Japan side took the spoils from their opening-day bout at Waikato Stadium. Goals from Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki complemented a brace by Hinata Miyazawa to ensure the 2011 champions eased to victory and the summit of Group C.

Following earlier defeats for Republic of Ireland, the Philippines and Vietnam, Women’s World Cup newcomers are yet to pick up a point so far this tournament

Japan started brightly and came within a whisker of opening the scoring early on when Aoba Fujina rifled a shot towards goal from outside the area, but wicked swerve – and a feint touch by goalkeeper Catherine Musonda – diverted it on to the post. Mina Tanaka then thought she’d opened the scoring, but VAR correctly ruled her effort out for offside.

The Nadeshiko would finally break the deadlock just before half-time, when Fujina swung in a dangerous cross from the right, which Hinata Miyazawa confidently swept home to give her side a deserved lead.

Tanaka continued her personal feud with the technology early in the second half when she rightly had a second strike ruled out for offside. It would be third time lucky soon after, though, when she turned home a driven Jun Endo cross from six yards out.

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The floodgates soon opened, allowing Miyazawa to tap home from a Tinaka cut-back, before Endo got in on the act herself with a fine run and finish do to make it four.

While the result was beyond all doubt, the game did finish in supreme drama, with Musonda sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling substitute Riko Euki. Reserve goalkeeper Eunice Sakala initially saved Ueki’s subsequent spot-kick, only for replays to show she was off her line, allowing the forward to turn home the re-take.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Falconets crash out from U-20 Women’s World Cup

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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.  

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Colombia 2025: Falconets back in Bogota to trade tackles with Japan

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The team on return to Bogota on Wednesday.  

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.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

What a goal-laden day for Nigeria; Falconets also win with wide margin!

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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.

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