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SUPER FALCONETS RUE MISSED CHANCES

 

The Nigerian U-20 female team, Super Falconets in the early hours of Monday lost 1-0 to Germany in the finals of the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada.

The Nigerian ladies will regret missing a handful of chances although they were unfortunate to see 88th minute headed goal cancelled for offside.

The Germans won the game in extra-time after it ended goalless in regulation time.

In what was expected to be an entertaining, open and engaging final match, both teams showed strength, talent and entertainment.

Lena Petermann scored a title winning goal in the 98th minute after a cutback pass from German skipper Bremer found her with the striker picking her spot nicely.

German goalkeeper, Meike Kamper was named the player of the match for the second successive match highlighting the dominance of the Super Falconets.

Nigeria dominated the first 45 minutes creating numerous good scoring opportunities but converted none, with Asisat Oshoala not able to find her goal scoring touch after scoring four times against the Koreans in the semi-finals.

After 22 minutes, Oshoala crafted a chance out of nothing when she outpaced the German defence, rounded goalkeeper Kamper but couldn’t find the back of the net. In the 38th minute, Oshoala couldn’t convert Chiwendo Ihezuo cut back after a brilliant play by the later.

Second half saw Nigeria showing more intense with Oshoala’s brilliant run from the flanks, piercing through the German defence but the finishing touch was not available.

Despite her inability to convert the chances, Shoal was a constant threat to the German defence giving them a lot more to think about.

The Germans settled in not quite long and had chances to miss too. Sara Dab Ritz free-kick met the head of Bremer with the striker heading well wide.

Lena Petermann came close but Super Falcone Goalkeeper, Chi-Chi’s bravery saw her save the ball off Peterman’s feet.

A balanced game it was at both ends but Nigeria thought they have gotten the lead in the last five minutes after Oshoala’s touch found the head of Chewed Ihezuo.

The final touch came of Ayila but the offside flag cut short the Nigerian celebration.

It took eight minute in the extra time for the Germans to take the lead with energetic Bremer robbing Nigeria left back Gladys Abasi off the ball before driving towards the by-line and delivered a perfect cut back to Lena Petermann who didn’t waste time in slotting it home from close range.

Nigeria couldn’t respond with tiring legs and the Germans saw it through claiming their third world cup at the U-20 level and beating Nigeria at the finals for the second time in four years.

However Oshoala was named the golden ball winner beating the French duo of Griedge Mbock Bathy and Claire Lavogez to second and third respectively.

The Nigerian striker also claimed the golden shoe award with 7 goals and 2 assists beating the German duo of Pauline Bremer and Sara Daebritz to second and third respectively.

German goalkeeper, Meike Kamper won the golden gloves with host Country Canada winning the fair play award.

 

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