Germany defeat Flamingos in U17 Women's World Cup opener
BY Idris Shehu
Nigeria’s Flamingos have been defeated 2-1 by Germany in their group B opening match at the 8th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Nigeria surrendered an early lead and got punished by the Germans at the Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium in Goa on Tuesday.
The Bankole Olowookere-led girls flexed their talents and ambition as equals to the Europeans in the early stage of the game with Opeyemi Ajakaiye and Omowunmi Bello proving a handful for their opposition.
The courageous performance yielded a reward for the Flamingos in the 29th minute when Miracle Useni stood over a free-kick just outside the Germans’ goal area.
The left-back smashed a clean grounder past the wall and into the bottom corner to give Nigeria a deserved lead into the halftime break.
However, fatigue and tactical lapse meant Nigeria dropped their intensity and Germany made most of the chances they were ceded.
Svea Stoldt turned a precise cross into the net with a tap-in inside the Flamingos’ goal area. Faith Omilana was left the wrong way as Germany equalised in the 49th minute.
The comeback was completed in the 61st minute. A counterattack move was sublimely finished by Mara Alber.
The Flamingos — currently third in the group — will face New Zealand on Friday before playing their final group game against Chile on Monday.
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