Nigeria’s Falconets’ journey at the FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup has ended following a 2-1 defeat to Japan in the round of 16 in the early hours of Friday, Completesports.com reports.
Goals in each half from Miyu Matsunaga and Maya Hijikata sealed the win for the 2018 U-20 women’s champions and place into the quarter-finals.
Falconets goal was scored by Olushola Shobowale deep in stoppage time which was just a consolation goal.
The result means Japan has now beaten the Falconets in their last three meetings at the U-20 World Cup (2012, 2016, 2024).
Japan has now joined hosts Colombia, USA, Brazil, North Korea, Spain, USA and Germany in the quarter-finals.
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Shobowale had the Falconets first chance in the 7th minute but failed to convert.
Three minutes later the Falconets went close again but Miyu Matsunaga made a timely block to deny them.
After a very tight contest Matsunaga opened the scoring for Japan in the 33rd minute.
The Falconets did everything possible to get back on level terms as they were on top in the early part of the second half but the Japanese maintained their lead.
In the 65th minute Aemu Oyama had a chance on goal but failed to convert.
Just one minute later Maya Hijikata got on the score sheet to make it 2-0 to Japan.
With 12 minutes left Japan almost extended their lead but Faith Omilana pulled off a good save to deny them.
Japan continues to create more scoring opportunities and almost got a third only for Suzu Amano to be denied in the 86th minute.
In the 91st minute the Falconets pulled a goal back through Shobowale to make it 2-1 after being set up by Goodness Osigwe.
It was too little too late as the Japanese held on to go through.
By James Agberebi
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Source: www.completesports.com
