.Keep hopes alive
By Valentine Amanze
The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Wednesday June 12, 2019 defeated the Korean Republic side 2-0 in Grenoble, France.
With the result, the Nigerian team is back in contention for a place in the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup.
The African champions have now recorded three points from two matches, but remain third in Group A behind leaders France and Norway.
The victory could propel them to the next round notwithstanding the result of their final group game next week.
The Korea team remains bottom of the standings after they lost their second straight game.
The Falcons benefitted from an own goal after 29 minutes to go into the break a goal up.
They doubled their advantage in the 75th minute when Asisat Oshoala got to the end of a long ball by Chidinma Okeke, dribbled past the goalkeeper before she fired home.
Official Player of the Match Oshoala would have netted a brace moments later when the Falcons launched another fast counter, but poor ball control by the Barcelona forward let her down.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, 18, who was considered ahead of No 1 choice Oluehi Tochukwu, was outstanding on her World Cup debut.
Korea had a goal disallowed for offside on 58 minutes to save the blushes of goalkeeper Nnadozie, who had fumbled a cross into the path of the Korean attacker.
The Falcons will play their final group game on Monday against hosts France in Rennes.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian side is the only African representative to win a match in the ongoing tournament.
