Nigeria’s Falconets crash out of 2024 Women’s U20 World Cup

On Friday morning, the promising adventure of the Falconets ended in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup finals in Colombia when reigning vice champions Japan defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16.

In the pounding downpour at Bogota's Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Olushola Shobowale's composed finish one minute into time-added-on was in vain, as Miyu Matsunaga and Maya Hijikata had already scored in either half.

In the thirteenth minute, Maya Hijikata, ever persistent, almost scored when goalkeeper Faith Omilana reached out to punch a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho stepped in to save the day.

Nigeria's players' fit-fighting style and positional play were an equal match for the renowned electrifying speed and ingenious flicks and chips of Japan. In the 18th minute, however, Rio Sasaki opened up Nigeria's defense with a free kick on the right, and Japan again got near. Still, Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo failed to touch the ball.

As early as the 33rd minute, the East Asians took the lead when Matsunaga headed in a cross from Rihona Ujihara.

Maya Hijikata cleared the ball off the line four minutes before halftime, denying Nigeria a chance to tie the score after Rofiat Imuran's left-wing inswinger unsettled goalkeeper Akana Okuma.

After Chinari Sasai crossed the ball in from the field's right side, Hijikata finished the move in the 66th minute to double Japan's lead. In the 77th and 86th minutes, Omilana saved strong efforts from Matsunaga and Suzu Amano, respectively. However, in the last minute, Nigeria caused a nail-biter with substitute Goodness Osigwe's left-wing cross, which Shobowale calmly tapped in.

Japan will face Spain in the quarterfinals, a rematch of the championship match from the last tournament in Costa Rica two years ago. 

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