U-20 Women’s World Cup: Flourish Scores As Nigeria Defeat Korea Republic

The Falconets of Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in their opening match of the 11th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.

Sebastine Flourish scored the only goal for Nigeria’s U-20 girls in the 87th minute to seal the win.

Opportunities were few and far between in a game between two strong squads not unfamiliar with themselves, but Nigeria had more of the chances, particularly in a more entertaining second half at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo.

Mary Lucky Mkpa was full of action and with some precision, should have put away at least two of the opportunities. The Asians, who also lost by a lone goal to Nigeria in a group phase encounter at the last edition of the competition in Costa Rica two years ago, 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.

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.

Up next for the Falconets is a clash with three-time champions Germany at the same venue on Wednesday evening.