Nigeria will on Thursday challenge Japan for a ticket in the last eight of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup going on in Colombia, South America.
Emerging from Group D as runners-up after Germany, the Falconets will have to be strong against the high-scoring Asians who banged in 13 goals, winning all three matches to top their Group E.
While Japan had won the championship once – France 2018 – and were runners-up four years later with two bronze medals (2012, 2016) in addition, Nigeria’s best performance were two silver medals in Germany 2010 and Canada 2014, as well as fourth place in Japan 2012.
The Falconets started Colombia 2024 with a lone goal victory over Korea Republic. They then lost 1-3 to Germany before rescuing their qualification for the knock phase thrashing Venezuela 4-0.
Japan thrashed New Zealand 7-0, defeated Ghana 4-1 and beat Austria 2-0 to emerged among the top four highest scorers in the group phase.
In their last group fixture at the weekend, Nigeria sent out clear notice of their title intent with a dominant showing against Venezuela in a match where winger Chiamaka Okwuchukwu starred once again, being involved in the first three goals, before Joy Igbokwe capped off the 4-0 win with a late thunderbolt.
Having missed a gilt-edged chance just moments earlier, Amina Bello did not make the same mistake twice as she buried a delightful cut-back from the lively Okwuchukwu to get things started early on.
Provider then scorer as Okwuchukwu rose to meet a corner that had been played short and then whipped in to make it 2-0 just shy of the half hour.
Just when Venezuela had started to come back into things, with Falconets keeper Faith Omilana pulling off two smart saves to deny Genesis Hernandez and Sabrina Araujo, Nigeria struck again.
It was another delightful ball from the eye-catching Okwuchukwu that teed things up for Flourish Sabastine, who had time and space to sweep home past a stranded Tibayre Rodriguez to send Nigeria to the break three goals to the good.
Even with the tempo slowing in the second period, Nigeria remained on top and it took a goal-line clearance from Venezuela captain Gabriela Angulo to stop Chioma Olise making it four. With time just about elapsed, substitute Joy Igbokwe spotted Rodriguez off her line and sent in a rocket from all of 40 yards that flew over the retreating keeper to cap a dominant performance.
In a battle to decide the winner of Group E on Sunday, Japan came out on top against Austria, 2-0, thanks to goals in either half from Maya Hijikata. The Asian side did it in style, with a wonderful brand of football throughout, giving them three wins in all three group matches.
The Asians’ exquisite link-up play and technical expertise was on full display in the first half and it led to the opener in the 38th minute.
Austria goalkeeper Mariella El Sherif had done well to keep Japan goalless until then, but there was nothing she could do to stop Maya Hijikata from nodding from a few yards out.
Japan remained on the front foot and their second goal was also easy on the eye, as Hijikata received a surgical pass from Suzu Amano and sent off a first-time shot to round out the 2-0 scoreline.
