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Germany 2010: Falconets make history
Written by Tokunbo Monday, 26 July 2010
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Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the semifinals of the FIFA Women‘s U-20 World Cup after the Falconets beat the USA 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Sunday in Germany.
Nigeria will now meet Colombia, who defeated Sweden 2-0 on Saturday, in one of the semifinals on Thursday.
The winners were decided in a penalty shootout after regulation time and extra-time ended 1-1. Two-time champions USA, who were tipped to win the encounter, took the lead in the 9th minute through Amber Brooks but missed several other chances to increase the lead.
The first half ended in favour of the USA but the Falconets came into the second half stronger, having more ball possession and taking the game to their opponents.
The pressure paid off in the 79th minute when Helen Ukaonu‘s long-range shot beat goalkeeper Bianca Henninger to bring Nigeria level.
Nigeria did improve towards the end of the first half but their efforts foundered on a rock known as Crystal Dunn who did a good job in the defence.
The second half proved a reversal of what had gone on before with Nigeria now finding some confidence and taking control of the game.
Striker Desire Oparanozie worried Henninger momentarily from distance but the goalkeeper pulled off a good save high up by the left-hand post.
Ebere Orji then had a chance as a long ball bounced high inside the penalty area but there were enough defenders to rescue the situation.
The Falconets clearly saw long shots as their route back into the contest. Esther Sunday was barely at the mid-point of the US half her shot was parried.
The game went into penalty shootout after the extra-time failed to produce any goal.
The victory came at an affordable price as four of the Nigerians were booked. Amarachi Okoronkwo got a caution in the first half while Charity Adule and Osinachi Ohale got theirs in the second half. Oparanozie was booked in the last minutes of the extra-time.
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