Abuja, Aug.15, 2022 (NAN) The Falconets on Sunday reached the last eight of the 10th FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup finals going on in Costa Rica after beating Korea Republic 1-0 in Alajuela.
The top-of-the-table clash was highly anticipated as both teams knew a win would take them to the tournament’s quarter-finals, both having won their respective first games of the tournament.
Korea Republic were top of the log on goal difference, having defeated Canada 2-0, after the Falconets had beaten France 1-0 on Thursday.
There was little to choose between the two teams until midfielder Esther Onyenezide’s fierce curling shot flew past Yoonji Do for the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute.
Hayeon Mu missed from a corner-kick and Garam Chun hit the upright from a free-kick.
But Nigeria managed to keep things tight at the back even as energetic Mercy Idoko, Onyenezide and Bashirat Amoo worked tirelessly in the middle.
In the 54th minute, Onyenezide’s rasping shot from the right side was parried away by Do.
Ten minutes later, it was the turn of goalkeeper Oyono Omini to parry away a fierce 25 –yard shot unleashed by South Korea’s Eunyoung Lee.
Midfielder Onyenezide would however have the last word, curling a fierce shot past Do with only seven minutes to go to send Africa’s best team into the quarter-finals.
The Falconets still have to play Canada on Wednesday, but they surely would already be looking at possible quarter-final opponents from Group D.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Reports that Cup-holders Japan, The Netherlands, USA and Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana make up Group D.
