Falconets, after earning 9 points from 3 games, will now take on Group D runners-up, Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Sunday. August 21
By Mosope Michaels
Nigeria’s Under 20 female soccer team, Falconets, maintained their perfect record at the Women’s 2022 FIFA U-20 World Cup after easing past Canada in their final group game played on Thursday morning in Costa Rica.
After winning all their matches in the group stage, the Nigerian girls finished top of Group C with 9 points from three games.
They were, however, unable to keep a clean sheet like they did in their previous two matches, as they conceded for the first time in the 3-1 win over Canada.
The Canadians were the quickest out of the blocks of the two teams, taking the lead as early as the 4th minute through Kaila Novak.
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But the Falconets responded in an emphatic fashion, taking charge of the game with Esther Onyenezide netting the equaliser from the spot in the 24th minute after a Canadian player was penalised for handing the ball in the penalty box.
Onyenezide made it a brace for herself and 2-0 to Nigeria eight minutes later through another spot kick, after Mercy Idoko was brought down in the penalty box.
The midfielder, who has scored earlier in the tournament, has now scored three goals in three games she played for Nigeria.
Idoko took the game beyond the reach of the Canadian girls with a close-range shot deep into first-half stoppage time to make it 3-1 in favour of the Falconets.
In the group’s other game, France progressed alongside Nigeria after defeating the Korea Republic 1-0 to finish second in the group.
The Falconets will now take on Group D runners-up, Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Sunday, August 21.