Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets kicked off their 2024 World Cup campaign with a well deserved 1-0 victory over Korea Republic on Monday morning at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota, Colombia.
A brilliant late goal by Flourish Sabastine put the Falconets in a good position to reach the Round of 16 at the 11th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
Opportunities were few and far between in a game between two strong squads not unfamiliar with themselves, but Nigeria had more of the chances, particularly in a more entertaining second half of the contest.
Big forward Mary Lucky Mkpa was full of endeavour and with some precision, should have put away at least two of the opportunities.
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The Asians, who also lost by a lone goal to Nigeria in a group phase encounter at the last edition of the competition in Costa Rica two years ago, came close to drawing the first blood on the quarter-hour, but Shukurat Oladipo got one foot to a teasing cross from the right to wrong-foot Park.
Nigeria goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare missed a pull-out altogether in the 28th minute but the Korean touch took the ball over the sticks, and at the other end, Mkpa heaved the ball a little too high after a pass by Rofiat Imuran.
The Falconets were saved just before half time, when Myeyung rocked the crossbar from a 22-yard free-kick.
In the second half, Sabastine and Amina Bello saw their shots blocked in the opposition box, and substitute Chiamaka Okwuchukwu came close from a good run on the right, before Sabastine sliced the ball from the right wing to smack the upright and roll into the net for the game’s only goal.
Next up for the Falconets is a clash with three-time champions Germany at the same venue on Wednesday evening.
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