Afrigather Nigeria’s Falconets stumbled to a tricky 3-1 loss to Germany of their matchday two Group D conflict on the ongoing FIFA U20 Girls’s U20 World Cup in Colombia within the early hours of Thursday, Soccernet.ng experiences.
Listed below are the 5 takeaways from the encounter.
Germany are Nigeria’s greatest nemesis
It seems regardless of how laborious Nigeria attempt, the Falconets can by no means get the higher of the Germans on the U20 World Cup.
Thursday’s defeat is Nigeria’s fourth in a row by the hands of Germany at this match, and the primary time the Falconets will concede three objectives in opposition to the European giants. No different group has overwhelmed Nigeria extra occasions.
This specific loss is tough to take because the West Africans had sufficient possibilities to carve out a constructive consequence however Chris Danjuma’s ladies will rue these missed alternatives.
On a brighter observe, Chiamaka Okuchukwu’s second-half strike is the primary aim Nigeria will rating within the final 4 conferences with the Germans.
The Falconets are too wasteful to be real title contenders
Coach Danjuma has repeatedly boasted that his ladies possessed the standard and character to win the U20 World Cup for the primary time within the nation’s historical past.
And there’s no denying that the Falconets have vitality, togetherness, and dedication in abundance.
What the Falconets, nonetheless, have briefly provide is the power to stay the ball into the online.
For all of Germany’s early dominance, Nigeria ought to have been two objectives up by the point the previous champions netted the sport’s opener.
After falling behind, Nigeria nonetheless had clear possibilities to show the match round earlier than the halftime break. None was transformed.
Even Okuchukwu’s equaliser got here from a mix-up within the German defence and never from any spectacular Nigerian group transfer.
The Falconets need to do higher in entrance of aim to face any probability of constructing it to the latter phases of this match.
The 2 fullbacks are the group’s weakest hyperlinks
Nigeria’s right-back Jumoke Alani and her teammate on the other flank Oluchi Ohaegbulem didn’t cowl themselves in glory on this encounter.
Alani was at fault for the primary aim Nigeria conceded whereas Ohaegbulem ought to bear extra of the blame for Germany’s two second-half objectives.
They had been straightforward to dribble previous, had hassle choosing up German runners on the again submit, and allowed crosses to fly into the Nigeria field freely.
Each fullbacks want to take a seat up and get their acts collectively or higher options must be brushed as much as take their spots to keep away from one other disappointing defeat on matchday three.
Nigeria’s Falconets weren’t horrible in opposition to Germany
Opposite to what the scoreline might painting, the Falconets weren’t horrible in opposition to the German ladies.
The truth is, the Falconets did numerous issues proper: They stayed compact within the first half, fought properly for the second balls, confirmed a willingness to run off the ball, and created quite a few clear scoring possibilities.
Sadly, coach Danjuma and his ladies did poorly in essential areas.
The group, other than battling with a number of momentary losses of focus, suffered a big drop in stage shortly after working laborious to equalise.
Goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare, whereas being liable to the odd error, didn’t make any save of observe. The 2 centre-backs had issue coping with crosses whereas the coach made no tactical transfer to neutralise Germany’s greatest energy – attacking down the flanks.
The Falconets’ total technique was lame: the group was not set as much as beat Germany however moderately to keep away from shedding to the ladies in white.
Falconets’ future remains to be of their arms
Fortunately, Nigeria can nonetheless qualify for the knockout rounds if the Falconets beat Venezuela on matchday three.
The Venezuelans misplaced their opening match 5-2 in opposition to Germany whereas Nigeria secured a slim 1-0 victory over the Korea Republic.
Irrespective of the results of the conflict between Venezuela and Korea Republic, a win for the Falconets on matchday three will take Nigeria’s level tally to 6 which will definitely be sufficient to make it previous the group phases.
