Izuchukwu Okosi
An Esther Onyenezide magnificent goal at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soro late Saturday night was all Nigeria’s Super Falconets needed as they beat South Korea 1-0 in their second Group C game of the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica.
The win ensures that the two-time finalists have booked their place in the quarterfinals stage of the tournament.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe match was delayed for almost an hour due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Nigerians were assertive in the early stages of the game but the first two chances went to the Koreans as Ko Dayeong and captain Mun Hayeon delivered long range strikes, the first hitting the frame of the post.
The Falconets went close themselves to getting an opening goal with quarter of an hour played but the Asians dealt with the delicate exchange of passes by the nimble footed Nigerians.
The Nigeria girls were sloppy in defending a corner barely a minute later but the Korean captain miscued her effort from close range.
Korea threatened to go ahead with 21 minutes played but goalkeeper Omini Oyono kept out a rasping shot before Lee Suin’s near perfect free kick from 35 yards canooned off the Nigerian post.
The first half ended scoreless despite the best efforts of both sides.
Nigeria’s midfielder Esther Onyenezide let fly a powerful shot seven minutes after the break but the Korean keeper punched the ball away albeit from the rebound, the Falconets failed to take advantage.
Nigeria keeper Oyono produced two brilliant saves – from a long range strike and an excellent footed clearance in the penalty box to ensure the Falconets do not go behind.
Onyenezide grabbed the vital goal of the night when she struck a powerful shot that saw the ball nestle inside the Korean post with seven minutes left on the clock.
The Falcons even went close to adding a late goal but the Korean keeper managed to keep out a long, deceptive punt.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
