By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
…Canada sends out France 3-0
FALCONETS OF Nigeria Thursday at the Bielsko Biala stadium in Poland finished off the Lionesses of England as predicted in a match preview but with a stunning 3-0 victory before Ref Myriam Marcotte of Canada.
Tosin Rafiu opened scoring in the 8th minute; Nigeria reenacted her finesse of set pieces through corner kicks when dame corner specialist Tumininu Adeshina founded Janet Akokoromowei from the corner flag to score 2nd goal in the 47th minute and Mamudu Mary got a Precious Oscar connect to score the 3rd goal in the 73rd minute. England missed a penalty score by Rachael Maltby in the 36th minute.
Nigeria suffered kwashiokor of goals losing 0-2 to Spain; drew 0-0 with China but got their acts back in a 10-1 lashing of New Caledonia. England lost to Brazil 1-2; spanked Tanzania 5-1 and drew 1-1 with Canada.
Against England, Nigeria neutralised two Nigerians in England shirt, high scorer, Princess Ademiluyi from Ile-Ife in Osun State and Lola Brown who holds English midfield.
England that prides herself as home of world football never beat Nigeria at u20 women’s level. In their three meetings Nigeria won in group C of the 2014 tournament 2-1; drew 1-1 in group A of 2008 tournament and drew 1-1 in group C of the 2010 tournament.
England in 5 appearances got a Bronze in 2018 and reached quarterfinals twice in 2008 and 2022. Nigeria were Silver medalists in 2012 and 2016; placed 4th in 2014 and were quarterfinalists in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2022.
In the other R16 match, Kaylee Hunter of Canada hunted out France with a hatrick thar may cause Nigeria a diplomatic row as a Nigerian in Canadian shirt, Janet Okeke assisted Hunter in the 2nd goal of 33rd minute after Hunter scored in 26th and then 70th minutes.
Nigeria will meet the winner of Poland versus Columbia clash 20th September at 2pm n the quarterfinals while Canada will meet the winner of North Korea versus Japan also on Sunday at 5:30pm.
On Saturday 19th at 2.00pm South Korea and Italy will fight for a semifinal ticket while star match of the quarterfinals will be Spain versus Brazil at 5:30pm on Saturday.
Yesterday Wednesday, Argentina lost to South Korea 0-1; Brazil beat USA 5-4 on penalty shootouts after 1-1 at Full-time; Italy also beat China 5-4 on penalty shootouts after 1-1 at Full-time while Spain spanked Portugal 2-0.
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