WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Morocco and Korea Republic set for a make or mar clash
In a few hours time, Korea Republic and Morocco will meet in a key Group H encounter of the Women’s World Cup. Victory is essential as both teams know that a win is essential if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
Both suffered defeat in their opening matches. Korea Republic went down 2-0 against Colombia. Despite an improved performance in the second half, they could not take anything from that match.
They will be keen to bounce back in Adelaide/Tarntanya and pick up just their second win in the tournament since 2015 when they beat Spain 2-1 in Montreal, Canada.
Morocco were handed a tough lesson on their first ever match in the FIFA Women’s World Cup as Germany beat them 6-0 in their opener.
They did however become the first Arab side to play in the history of the tournament and they will look to take some positives from this clash with these AFC representatives.
This is Korea Republic’s second FIFA Women’s World Cup match against African opposition, following their 2-0 defeat against Nigeria in the 2019 group stage.
In their opening match, Korea Republic’s Casey Phair (16years and 26 days) became the youngest player to make an appearance in FIFA Women’s World Cup history.
Cho So-hyun holds the record for most matches played for Korea Republic in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This could be her ninth appearance.
Against Germany, Morocco became the first Arab team to play in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the eighth African nation to play a match at the finals.
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Falconets crash out from U-20 Women’s World Cup
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.
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Colombia 2025: Falconets back in Bogota to trade tackles with Japan
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.
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
What a goal-laden day for Nigeria; Falconets also win with wide margin!
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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