Nigeria’s under 20 women’s national team, Falconets booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 10th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals ongoing in Costa Rica.
The Chris Danjuma-led team recorded a 1-0 victory against South Korea in their second group game played on Sunday, 14 August 2022.
South Korea defeated Canada 2-0 in their first match while the Falconets started their tournament with a 1-0 victory against European champions France.
A place in the quarter-finals was at stake when both sides met at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela.
Just like the first game against France, the Falconets were unable to break the South Korean defence in the first half.
In the 54th minute, Esther Onyenezide’s shot from the right side was parried away by Yoonji Do.
Oyono Omini, in goal for Nigeria also had to parry away a fierce 25 –yard shot unleashed by Eunyoung Lee in the 64th minute.
There was little to choose between the two teams until the 83rd minute when midfielder Onyenezide’s curled a shot past Do.
The Falconets celebrated the goal by dancing to the hit song Buga by Kizz Daniel.
It was the only goal of the match as Hayeon Mu missed from a corner kick and Garam Chun hit the upright from a free kick.
The defence kept things tight at the back and in the midfield even as Mercy Idoko, Onyenezide and Bashirat Amoo worked tirelessly.
The Falconets held on for all three points and booked a place in the quarter-finals with two victories from two games.
The Falconets now take on Canada in their final group game scheduled for the early hours of Thursday, August 18, 2022.