Japan have edged Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia on Friday morning, ending the promising journey of the Falconets as their knockout woes continues.
Nigeria haven’t won a knockout match since 2014 and that continues after the narrow loss to the Asian opponent.
A goal in each half, first by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata, meant that Olushola Shobowale’s composed finish one minute into time-added-on was too little too late in driving rain at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota.
“We knew that Nigeria is physically stronger and faster than us, but everyone was able to stay focused and score the first goal, and then the second. I’m very happy because this is a victory we won together as a team”, Chinari Sasai, Japan forward stated in her post game assessment.
Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
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