Nigeria’s Tremendous Falconets noticed their FIFA U-20 Girls’s World Cup journey come to a heart-wrenching finish as Japan claimed a 2-1 victory within the Spherical of 16 in Bogota on Friday, Soccernet.ng stories.
Regardless of a late surge from Nigeria, early dominance and medical ending from Japan sealed their passage to the quarter-finals.
The sport kicked off with Japan dictating the tempo, utilizing their swift interaction and intelligent actions to unsettle the Nigerian defence.
Their persistence almost paid off within the thirteenth minute when goalkeeper Religion Omilana misjudged a cross, however Consolation Folorunsho got here to Nigeria’s rescue, clearing off the road.
The stress mounted as Japan constantly probed the Nigerian backline. Within the thirty third minute, Miyu Matsunaga broke the impasse, heading in a exact cross from Rihona Ujihara to offer Japan the lead.
Nigeria, identified for his or her resilience, almost responded moments earlier than halftime when Rofiat Imuran’s harmful supply examined Japan’s goalkeeper Akana Okuma, however Maya Hijikata was readily available to clear the hazard.
After the break, Japan capitalized once more on their momentum. Maya Hijikata doubled their lead within the 66th minute, changing a cross from Chinari Sasai to make it 2-0.
Regardless of robust saves from Omilana to disclaim Matsunaga and Suzu Amano, Nigeria struggled to match Japan’s relentless vitality and technical prowess.
In stoppage time, the Falconets discovered a glimmer of hope when Olushola Shobowale latched onto a cross from substitute Goodness Osigwe, calmly slotting dwelling. Nonetheless, it proved too late for a full comeback as Japan held agency to safe the 2-1 win.
🏁 FULL TIME! in Bogota 📍
Japan 🇯🇵 2-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬
Regardless of a late objective, our sisters Falconets couldn’t overturn Japan’s lead, bringing an finish to their event run.
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/yGWIeI0tgo#SoarFalconets #U20WWC #JPNNGA pic.twitter.com/M7Y9FaUXxJ
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) September 13, 2024
Japan will now face Spain within the quarter-finals, whereas Nigeria’s promising run in Colombia ends with satisfaction but in addition the sting of a slender defeat.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports activities journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a confirmed observe file in conducting interviews with Tremendous Eagles stars comparable to William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Vibrant Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and plenty of others. He has additionally made a major impression in breaking switch information tales.
Grounded in video enhancing, video journalism, social media administration, and content material technique, Ayomide brings a wealth of experience to his work.
With a Bachelor’s diploma in English Language from Adeyemi School of Training and a Grasp’s Diploma in Faculty Library and Media Know-how from the College of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel within the area.