Japan 2-1 Nigeria: Asians send Falconets packing from U20 Women’s World Cup

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team bowed out of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after a 2-1 loss to Japan in the Round of 16 at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogota in the early hours of Friday.

The Falconets finished second in Group D with six points and an inferior goal difference to Germany, which set up a last-16 clash with the Asian side.

The 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup champions broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute through Miyu Matsunaga.

They held on to the lead till half time and 20 minutes into the second half, Japan doubled the lead.

Maya Hijikata made it 2-0 in the 65th minute pitting Christopher Danjuma’s side in a dicey situation.

Olushola Shobowale reduced the deficit for the two-time finalists from Goodness Osigwe’s assist in the additional minutes of the second half, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their second loss of the tournament and exit from the competition.

It was a slip from their last appearance in 2022 where the team reached the quarter final.

In 2022, it was a 16-team format before FIFA expanded this year’s edition to 24 teams, giving way for 16 countries to progress from the group stage.

Falconets best outing at the tournament was reaching the final in 2010 and 2014.

The team lost to Germany on both occasions.