The Super Falconets will face Japan in the round of 16 of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup at Estadio Metropolitano de Bogota on Tech Friday, September 13, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
To reach this stage, Christopher Danjuma’s team steamrolled Venezuela 4-0 at Pascual Guerrero Stadium, Cali, on Saturday to finish second behind Germany in the group with six, having edged South Korea in their opening match that was followed by a 3-1 loss to the Germans, who secured maximum points.
They have their job cut out against Japan, one of the teams with hundred per cent record at the group stage. The Asian giants have also been rampant in front of goal and rock-solid at the back, scoring 13 and conceding just one goal in three matches to finish top of Group E with nine points with a whopping +12 goal difference.
They started their campaign by making mincemeat of New Zealand with seven unreplied goals, trounced Ghana 4-1 in their second, and rounded off preliminary assignment with a 2-0 thrashing of Austria.
Maya Hijikata’s brace proved enough to ease Japan past Austria and finish atop Group E.
Nigeria will do themselves a huge favour by ceaselessly keeping an eye on Maya Hijikata, who has four goals in the kitty and whose brace sank Austria in their last group match at Estadio El Techo, Bogota, on Sunday, emerging Player of the Match.
History favours Japan, having emerged champions at the 2018 edition, where they also completed a perfect group stage campaign.
Nigeria have participated in every edition of the competition since its inaugural edition in 2002, with their best achievement being reaching the finals on two occasions, in 2010 and 2014.
While the Falconets have a challenging task ahead, they remain confident as they aim to outplay the rampant Japanese team.
Should they triumph, they will face either Spain or Canada in the quarterfinals.
(Punch)
