Falconets had earlier defeated France 1-0 in their first game while the Korea Republic beat Canada 2-0 before both teams clashed in Alajuela on Sunday
By Mosope Michaels
Nigeria’s U20 female team, the Falconets have reached the last eight of the 10th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup currently going on in Costa Rica.
They earned the quarter-final bet after another strong showing which saw them pip the hard-fighting Korea Republic 1-0 in Alajuela.
Both teams had earlier won their opening games, while the Korean Republic defeated Canada 2-0, Falconets edged past France 1-0 on Friday morning.
The top of the table clash, however, lived up to expectations, as there was little to choose between the two teams.
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Nigeria opened the scoring in the 83rd minute when Esther Onyenezide’s fierce curling shot beats Yoonji Do in the Korean goal to make it 1-0 to the Falconets.
Prior to the goal, a 54th minute, rasping shot from the goal scorer was parried away by Do, and 10 minutes later, it was the turn of Oyono Omini, in goal for Nigeria, to parry away a fierce 25-yard shot unleashed by Eunyoung Lee.
Hayeon Mu also failed to connect a corner kick, while Garam Chun hit the upright from a free kick, but Nigeria held firm to secure the crucial 3 points.
The Falconets will face Canada in the early hours of Thursday, August 18, but they will likely be more focused on their quarter-final bet, which will be against Group D opponents.
Cup holders Japan, Netherlands, USA and Africa’s other representative Ghana make up Group D.
