BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
Nigeria’s Falconets on Thursday morning, defeated Canada 3-1 in Alajuela, at the ongoing 10th FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Costa Rica, to set up a tournament group stage perfect record.
The Falconets who had already secured their place in last eight in the tournament, after beating France and South Korea by a lone goal each, hence finished the group stage with a perfect nine points out of nine in Group C.
The hard-fought wins over France and South Korea, saw the Nigerian side appear favourites to win the last group match despite already advancing to the knockout stages in their previous group match against the Asian side.
Although the match against Canada saw them concede their first goal of the competition, they never looked back after drawing level thereafter.
Goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s poor management of a backpass from Jumoke Alani granted Kala Novak the fortuitous goal in less than two minutes after kick-off.
Speaking after the match, the team head coach, Christopher Danjuma said, “It was great for us to come back from that setback, and also conceding first in the tournament.
“But we showed character and spirit after that, and that would be huge for us going forward in the competition,” he added.
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 the 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.
