U-20 W/Cup: Falconets Fail To Stop Germany

Germany for the
second time denied Nigeria a FIFA U20 World Cup when they beat the Falconets 1-0 in Montreal early Monday morning.
However, two-time champions, Germany needed an extra-time goal to win the tournament, unlike four years ago when they won comfortably 2-0.
Germany’s championship winner came in the 98th minute, when poor defending by the Falconets on the left flank let in Lena Petermann to slot home.
Nigeria would certainly question the decision to cancel Oshoala’s 85th minutes goal.
It was a game-defining decision because Oshoala’s header was already over the goal line before Loveth Ayila who was in an offside position made sure of it.
France won third place when they defeated North Korea 3-2.
After a bright start by Germany, Nigeria settled down and shaded on ball possession.
The best two chances in the first half fell to the falconets but they failed to make hay.
First in the 22nd minute, Asisat Oshoala won the ball in midfield, sprinted clear of the Germany goalkeeper but her final effort from a tight angle crashed against the sidenetting.
Then in the 38th minute, Oshoala and Ayila ran into each other inside the Germany box with the goal at their mercy after a superb cut-back by Ihezuo.
Goalkeeper Chichi was called to duty in the 18th minute when she dived down to keep out a free kick from outside her goal area.
She will also make a brave save in the 78th minute when she kept out a dangerous attack that was to have been finished off by Petermann.