Going about the business quietly but delivering the goods. The Super Falconets of Nigeria qualified for the semi final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada after trashing New Zealand 4-1 in the quater final match played on Sunday night.
Just like they scored in the first minute against Korea Republic in the group stage, the Falconet proved too strong for New Zealand as Oshoala scored with just 31 seconds into the game to record the second-fastest goal at a U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Oshoala doubled Nigeria’s lead 11 minutes later. Chinwendu Ihezuo sent a delightful ball into space, beating four Kiwi defenders with the pass, for Oshoala to chase down. The speedy forward took one touch towards goal and finished through the Lily Alfeld’s legs. An enthusiastic dancing celebration with Oshoala and her team-mates ensued near the corner flag.
New Zealand, who were playing in their first quarter-final at a U-20 Women’s World Cup, looked out of their comfort zone throughout the first half and were never able to trouble the Nigerian backline. After the second goal, Dedevbo’s team quieted down as well as both teams looked to navigate the wet conditions in Moncton.
Alfeld in New Zealand goal did well to keep the scoreline at 2-0 in the 68th minute when she tipped Uchenna Kanu’s powerful shot off the crossbar that otherwise would have screamed into the roof of the net. There was not much the Kiwi keeper could do, though, six minutes from time when Uchechi Sunday blasted home from six yards off a corner kick to extend Nigeria’s lead to 3-0.
Rolston ensured New Zealand would not crash out of the quarter-final empty-handed and, in the 89th minute, she beat her defender to the near post and redirected Jasmine Pereira’s cross past Chiichii to make it 3-1. In the waning seconds, however, Nigeria restored their three-goal lead when Sunday scored her second goal in six minutes. The pacey No20 dribbled down the left, beat her defender and calmly finished past Anfeld.
Having won three games in a row, Nigeria will enter the semi-finals full of confidence where they will face the Korea DPR, while New Zealand can head home knowing they have gone further at this U-20 Women’s World Cup than any Kiwi side before them.
