In a hard-fought and tightly contested match, Flourish Sabastine’s brilliant late strike earned Nigeria a crucial 1-0 victory over Korea Republic, propelling the Falconets closer to the Round of 16 in the 11th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
The showdown at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogotá on Monday morning featured two evenly matched teams, both familiar with each other’s capabilities.
Despite limited opportunities, Nigeria created more chances, particularly in an intense second half.
Mary Lucky Mkpa, the Falconets’ powerful forward, was a constant presence in the Korean defense but was unable to convert her efforts into goals, missing at least two promising opportunities that could have put Nigeria ahead earlier in the match.
Korea Republic, who had also narrowly lost to Nigeria in the group stages of the last tournament in Costa Rica, almost took the lead in the 15th minute.
However, Shukurat Oladipo’s timely block prevented Korea’s Park from capitalizing on a dangerous cross.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Shukurat Bakare, had a close call in the 28th minute when she misjudged a cross, but the Korean touch fortunately sent the ball over the bar.
At the other end, Mkpa missed another chance, firing the ball over the bar after receiving a precise pass from Rofiat Imuran.
The Falconets faced a tense moment just before halftime when Korea’s Myeyung rattled the crossbar with a powerful 22-yard free-kick, but the first half ended goalless.
The second half saw more action, with both Sabastine and Amina Bello having their shots blocked by the Korean defense. Substitute Chiamaka Okwuchukwu also came close after a strong run on the right.
It was Sabastine who ultimately made the difference, delivering a decisive shot from the right wing that ricocheted off the upright and into the net, securing the win for Nigeria.
This victory not only boosts the Falconets’ confidence but also strengthens their position as they prepare for a challenging encounter against three-time champions Germany on Wednesday evening. With this momentum, Nigeria’s chances of progressing further in the tournament look promising.
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