The Nigerian female under U20 national team, Falconets have clashed out of the 2024 Women’s FIFA U20 World Cup. The Falconets was eliminated from the championship by Japan 2-1 in the Round of 16 of the tournament in Colombia on Friday morning.
The Japanese struck twice in the first half of the match through goals by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata. However, the Nigerian team netted a consolatory goal at the extra time of the second half through Olushola Shobowale.
In the proceedings of play, the Japanese came close to scoring in the 13th minute, when Maya Hijikata almost capitalize on Falconets goalkeeper Faith Omilana error.
Omilana had came out to punch the ball from a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho was on the line to rescue the situation.
However, the dexterity of the Nigeria’s team kept the Japan’s famed electric pace and clever flicks and chips of the ball in check.
But in the 18th minute, Japan came close again when Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo missed getting a touch on the ball. This was following a tricky free kick by Rio Sasaki who carved open the Nigeria’s defence.
The East Asians, however, registered their first goal in the 33rd minute. This was as Matsunaga headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara.
Four minutes before the break, the Falconets could have levelled when Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger from the left rattled goalkeeper Akana Okuma. But the ball was cleared off the line by Maya Hijikata.
Hijikata made it two for Japan in the 66th minute when she drove the ball into the net after a cross from the right by Chinari Sasai.
The Japanese came close to increasing their tally with fierce shots by Matsunaga and Suzu Amano in the 77th and 86th minute respectively.
Nigeria was, however, rewarded for the efforts with a consolatory goal by Shobowale. She coolly slotted in a cross from the left by substitute Goodness Osigwe.
With the win over Nigeria, Japan will now face Spain in the quarter-finals.
Many pundits have tagged it a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
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