U-20 W/Cup: USA Stops Nigeria

The ambition of Nigeria’s Under-20 Women football team, Falconets, of going one step better than they did in the last edition of the FIFA women u-20 World Cup at the ongoing mundial in Japan was stopped yesterday, when they failed to reach the finals for the second consecutive time.

The Falconets lost 0-2 to USA, a side, they beat on penalty shootout at the quarter final stage two years ago in Germany.

It was a case of superior tactics and technical depth overcoming desires, talent and sheer determination.

Despite having all the latent qualities to prevail, poor marksmanship and loss of concentration, which call to question the quality of the Falconet’s coaching, conspired to deny them progression to the final.

USA ensured that Falconets hit women Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega had little or no room to shoot and Nigeria’s threat were neutralized.

Goals from Morgan Brian and Kealia Ohai halted the ambition of the Nigerian side who were runners-up at the last edition, two years ago in Germany, and had appeared destined for the 2012 edition’s final match.

The Falconets dominated the game in terms of possession, always keeping the U.S on the retreat, but the failure to take their chances as a result of poor shooting did them in.

The U.S., who will now be going into a third final appearance, will face holders Germany in the final match.

The match will hold on Saturday at the Tokyo National Stadium, some hours after Nigeria would have played its Third-place match with Japan.

Nigeria had a bright and hopeful start to the game, with Francisca Ordega’s seventh minute effort going wide, off the post.

But Brian scored the all-important opening goal after 22 minutes, perfectly directing a header over goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte, from Mollie Pathman’s cross from the left.

After the goal, the U.S. dominated play and created several scoring chances in the closing stages of the half, with Nigeria held back, in spite of having dominated overall possession during the opening period.

Desire Oparanozie’s effort was ruled out for offside in the early part of the second half, only for the U.S. to deal a fatal blow on Falconets hopes midway into the half.

Falconet’s Desire Oparanozie (9) wheels away after scoring against Mexico in the quarter finals of the women U-20 World Cup. She was neutralized by USA in the semi-final match yesterday.