December 22, 2024
African giant, Nigeria, lost to Japan to disqualify from the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falconets lost 2-1 at the Round of 16 clash, despite a late fight against the Asians.
Goals in either half from Matsunaga and Hijikata were enough for Japan to survive a late Nigeria fightback.
The 2018 champions started brightly after coming close on numerous occasions before finally going ahead in the 33rd minute. Miyu Matsunaga nodded home a free header from Rihona Ujihara’s cross into the back post.
Rofiat Imuran had Nigeria’s best chance shortly after as she forced a smart save from keeper Akane Okuma. However, the Asian powerhouse went to the break with the lead.
Maya Hijikata doubled the lead in the second half as she tucked home a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai. The goal takes her joint-top of the adidas Golden Boot race, level with Brazil’s Vendito.
Olushola Shobowale did manage to pull one back for Nigeria in stoppage time. They couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win.
The win set up an epic quarter-final clash with Spain, a re-match of the 2022 final.
Netherlands triumphed over France to progress to the next round of the FIFA U20 Women’s world Cup.
Jet Van Beijeren came off the bench to inspire the Dutch women to an extra time victory in the round of 16.
Her goal and assist were all Netherlands needed to cement their stay in Columbia for the quarter finals.
The French held the lead at the break thanks to Juliette Mossard’s 33rd minutes goal. However, half-time by Netherlands paved the way for Van Beijeren’s equaliser and her assist for Fleur Stoit’s winner.
Mossard broke the deadlock as she duly delivered when an attempted clearance fell to her outside the area.
The Dutch fought for an equaliser as the second half begin and the subtituted Van Beijeren got it for her nation. She sent a rebound into the net after France goalkeeper Feerine Belhadj blocked Stoit’s shot.
France came achingly close to a winner in stoppage time, as Liana Joseph rang one off the post. They were left to rue their bad luck though, as Van Beijeren fed a pass into Stoit for the winner.
Netherlands advance to face hosts nation, Columbia, in the quarter finals.
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