BY Idris Shehu
Nigeria’s Falconets have crashed out of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup after a 2-0 loss to The Netherlands in the quarter-final.
At the Alajuela Stadium in Costa Rica in the early hours of Monday, the Falconets failed to reproduce the perfect form that saw them emerge top of their group after winning all three group phase matches.
The Dutch team shocked the Nigerians after a swift counter-attack in the 11th minute as Zera Hulswit sent a lobbing shot beyond Omini Oyono in goal to send the Europeans ahead.
The Christopher Danjuma-led girls tried to exert themselves in the game and regain control but Flourish Sabastine’s shot was stopped by the Dutch goalkeeper. Deborah Abiodun’s howitzer also rattled the crossbar before it was cleared by the Europeans.
In the 33rd minute, Nigeria went two goals down. A miscommunication between Oluwatosin Demehin and Omowumi Oshobukola was pounced on by Ziva Henry, who bundled the ball past Oyono.
Falconets could provide no response throughout the remainder of the game as the Dutch team secured a place in the semi-final of the competition.
The Netherlands will meet Spain on Thursday in the first semi-final fixture while Brazil awaits the winner of the tie between France and Japan.
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