The Nigeria U17 girls put up a brave showing in their defeat of Gao
Hong’s side in their opening game at the 2014 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup
Nigeria began their campaign at the 2014 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup with
a 2-1 victory over China PR at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in
Alajuela.
A first half strike from Rasheedat Ajibade and a second half header
from Uchenna Kanu were all Bala Nkiyu’s side needed to hold off threats
from the Chinese ladies who got their only goal through Fan Yugiu.
The Nigerians put up a fine display in the opening minutes of the
tension soaked encounter and could have shot into the lead in the fifth
minute but for the heroics of goalkeeper Peng Shimeng.
Flamingoes after several failed attempts to score, however, shot into
the lead through Rasheedat Ajibade in the 21st minute. The Nigerian
scored from a rebound off Uchenna Kanu’s shot following a well taken
corner kick by Chinwedu Ihezuo.
Shimeng was called to duty four times in the space of 10 minutes
after the first goal by the Flamingoes but she stood unbendable in goal
as her heroics denied the Africans the opportunity to double their lead.
After several minutes of dominance, Uchenna Kanu got Nigeria’s second
goal in the 63rd minute through a powerful header that left the
opposing goalkeeper with no chance.
The Asians found their way back into the game when captain Fan Yugiu
calmly finished Yan Liu’s cross. The Chinese continued to press for an
equaliser during the final 25 minutes but the Nigerian backline
marshaled by Ologboshere held firm.
Goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke performed admirably in goal for
Nigeria as she made fine saves to deny Gao Hong’s girls from getting a
point form the game.
Nigeria will take on Colombia that lost 4-0 to Mexico in their next game on Wednesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment