Falconets flourish in FIFA U-20 World Cup opener with victory over Korea Republic
Nigeria’s Falconets made a winning start to their campaign at the 11th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, claiming a crucial 1-0 victory over Korea Republic thanks to a late goal by Flourish Sabastine.
The match, held at the 10,000-capacity Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota, was a tightly contested affair, but Sabastine’s 86th-minute strike ensured Nigeria began their quest for glory on a positive note.
The Falconets, two-time runners-up in the tournament, showed their intent from the outset, attacking with purpose and creating several opportunities. Despite the strong defensive efforts of the Korean side, Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the dying minutes of the match. Sabastine, one of the team’s key forwards, latched onto a well-placed pass inside the box and coolly slotted the ball past the Korean goalkeeper to secure the win.
This victory places Nigeria in second position in Group D with three points and a goal difference of +1. Group leaders Germany top the table with three points and a superior goal difference of +3, following their 5-2 thrashing of Venezuela in the other Group D encounter.
Throughout the match, the Falconets demonstrated their attacking prowess, recording 14 shots on goal, two of which were on target. In contrast, the Korea Republic managed only seven shots, with just one testing the Nigerian goalkeeper.
The win extends Nigeria’s dominant record against Korea Republic, having now won all four encounters between the two sides in the history of the competition.
Looking ahead, the Falconets will face a tougher test in their next match as they take on Group D leaders Germany in a top-of-the-table clash.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday at 23:00 Colombian time (5:00 AM Nigerian time). A victory in that game would significantly boost Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages and solidifying their status as strong contenders for the title.
Meanwhile, in Group C, Paraguay secured a 2-0 win over Morocco, adding more excitement to the tournament’s early stages. As the Falconets continue their journey in Colombia, the team and their fans will be hopeful that this opening win sets the tone for a deep run in the competition.
