A Flourish Sabastine’s late goal earned Nigeria’s Falconets all three points against Korea Republic at the 11th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota, Colombia.
Opportunities were few and far between, but forward Mary Lucky Mkpa should have put away at least two of them for Nigeria.
The Asians came close to drawing the first blood on the quarter-hour, but Shukurat Oladipo got one foot to a teasing cross from the right to wrong-foot Park.
Nigeria goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare missed a pull-out altogether in the 28th minute but the Korean touch took the ball over the sticks, and at the other end, Mkpa heaved the ball a little too high after a pass by Rofiat Imuran. Nigeria’s blushes were saved just before half time, when Myeyung rocked the crossbar from a 22-yard free-kick.
In the second half, Sabastine and Amina Bello saw their shots blocked in the opposition box, and substitute Chiamaka Okwuchukwu came close from a good run on the right, before Sabastine sliced the ball from the right wing to smack the upright and roll into the net for the game’s only goal.
Next up for the Falconets is a clash with three-time champions Germany at the same venue on Wednesday evening.
Ok, noted with thanks