Nigeria Topple South Korea at Women’s World Cup
Despite losing the possession battle in rather convincing fashion, the Nigerian women’s national team picked up a solid 2-0 win over South Korea on the sixth day of action at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Korea enjoyed 63 percent possession over the course of the 90 minutes, but they were unable to generate much of an attack despite holding the ball for the majority of the match. This was Nigeria’s first World Cup win since the 2011 tournament, and the Super Falcons successfully rebounded from a 3-0 loss to Norway in the first match of Group A action last week.
Nigeria are still a long shot to advance, though their betting odds did just get slightly more favorable. That said, oddsmakers (click the following link to learn how to avoid these mistakes when it comes to sports betting) still heavily favor France to win Group A.
Asisat Oshoala was the unquestioned star of the match for Nigeria. Despite both goals coming against the run of play, Oshoala effectively dismantled what had been a favored South Korean side coming into the game. Nigeria benefited from a South Korea own goal in the first half before a brilliant counter finished by a nifty effort from Oshoala sealed the deal in the second 45 minutes.
The defeat is a devastating one for South Korea considering they were crushed 4-0 by hosts France in the first match of the tournament last week. The Asian side has yet to find the back of the net, and they will need serious help if they are to find a way to advance at this point. South Korea will need to crush Norway in the final match of group play. Barring a miraculous showing in that game, the South Koreans are likely to be eliminated.
The win gives Nigeria legitimate hope of advancing to the knockout stages. They got a lucky bounce when Korean defender Kim Do-yeon scuffed an attempted clearance right past her own keeper. The keeper, Kim Min-jung, found herself out of position as the ball rocketed past her and into the net to give Nigeria an early 1-0 advantage.
The goal was reviewed by referees in order to decide whether Nigeria captain Desire Oparanozie may have brushed the ball with her hand on the way into the net, but it was eventually allowed. There was no conclusive evidence that the captain touched the ball illegally.
South Korea appeared to find an equalizer in the 58th minute before an offside call negated the score. Shortly thereafter, Oshoala engineered a glorious counter capped by her aforementioned goal to put the game out of reach. Oshoala, the 3-time African women’s footballer of the year, dribbled past the keeper before finishing at a tight angle. She almost converted a similar opportunity in the 75th minute, but a heavy touch sent the ball tumbling out of play for a South Korea goal kick.
Nigeria still face a tall task for advancement, though, considering they will have to deal with the hosts in the final match of group play. The Super Falcons will face the hosts in Group A play on Monday, June 17 at Roazhon Park in Rennes.
