Nigeria have taken control of
Group C at the FIFA U-20
Women's World Cup Canada
2014 by defeating Korea
Republic 2-1 in Moncton.
Courtney Dike scored the fastest
goal in the history of FIFA
women's tournaments after she
took advantage of Korea
Republic's lacklustre defending.
Dike, who was starting her first
match of the tournament
after coming on as substitute in
the opener against Mexico,
set the tone for the Super
Falconets, who were eager to
jump to the top of Group C after
England and Mexico had
shared the spoils earlier in the
day in a 1-1 draw.
Nigeria continued to threaten
Korea Republic's goal when
Osarenoma Igbinovia had a shot
from distance tipped over
the bar by Min Yukyeong. Nigeria
had another opportunity in
17th minute when Asisat
Oshoala's cross found Loveth
Ayila, who was unmarked in the
penalty area. However, her
shot hit a defender and spun just
wide.
Korea Republic had their first
chance of the first half in the
24th minute when Kim Soyi's
attempted chip over Nigeria
goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii went
over the bar. Soyi and her
team would regret that missed
opportunity as Nigeria took a
two-goal lead ten minutes later
through Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Ugo Njoku's cross from the right
wing found Ihezuo, who
controlled the ball before firing a
powerful shot past
Minyeong.
Nigeria picked up from where
they started by controlling the
opening stages of the second
half, although Korea Republic
were able to ask questions of the
Super Falconets' defense
as the half progressed.
The best chance for the South
Koreans came in the 59th
minute when Kim Inji received
the ball and shot from the left
side of the penalty area only to
watch her effort go inches
wide of the near post. Inji would
have see another effort
suffer the same fate ten minutes
later as the Nigerians
continued to breathe a collective
sigh of relief.
A nervy conclusion was
guaranteed in the 71st minute
when
Nigeria failed to clear their lines
effectively and Soyi
capitalised by scoring from the
edge of the penalty area to
give the Koreans a lifeline. But
while the Asian
champions often threatened an
equaliser, Nigeria's defense
held on to claim the first win of
the group in Moncton.
