U-20 World Cup: Falconets defeat South Korea to qualify for quarter-final

The Falconets defeated South Korea 1-0 in their second group stage game of the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

By winning the game which ended in the early hours of Monday, Nigeria qualified for the quarter-final of the competition.

Esther Onyenezide’s 83rd minute screamer was the difference between both sides in the Group C clash.

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Bashirat Amoo had the first attempt at goal from a free kick which was easily claimed by Yoonji Do, the South Korean shot-stopper.

The Asian team also had chances to take the lead, but Hayeon Mu failed to find the net with her effort and Garam Chun hit the upright from a free kick.

A few minutes before the end of the first half, another effort at goal by Amoo went off target.

In the second half, both sides continued to push for the lead as Onyenezide’s shot was repelled by the goalkeeper.

Ten minutes later, Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Oyono Omini, parried away a 25-yard effort from Eunyoung Lee to keep the Falconets in the game.

With seven minutes left on the clock, Onyenezide provided the inspiration to break the deadlock with a curler that sent Christopher Danjuma’s team to the knockout round.

The Falconets had secured a 1-0 win in their first match against France on Friday.

The two-time U-20 World Cup finalists will take on Canada on Thursday in the group’s last match.

Nigeria’s possible quarter-final opponents will come from Group D, which comprises defending champions Japan, The Netherlands, USA and Ghana.