Falconets seek history

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

By KATE OBODO, Tokyo

The national U-20 Women’s football team, the Falconets is on the verge of making history as they take on their American counterparts for a ticket to their second consecutive final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.

The Falconets, the first semi-final appearance by an African nation in a FIFA women’s tournament. lost 1-0 to hosts, Germany in a keenly contested final of the 2010 edition and a win over the equally tough USA team tomorrow, will make them the first team to play in two consecutive finals since the competition began in 2002.

Germany too is contesting the other semi final against hosts, Japan, later tomorrow.

Nigeria and USA came close to the exit door along the way. For the Nigerians, they had to endure a nervy period in their 1-0 quarter-final win against Mexico, when El Tri it was that created the better chances in the second half and extra time.

The Americans, for their part, also needed extra time to oust Korea DPR in the last eight – this after only edging into the quarters ahead of China PR on goal difference.

These travails do however mean that both the Falconets and the Stars and Stripes have proven that, in terms of mental toughness, they are a match for anyone. And as is so often the case in football, victory may well go to the side that keeps their nerve, which Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie and USA’s Chioma Ubogagu both did to score extra-time winners for their respective nations last time out.

Coach of the Nigerian team, Edwin Okon is confident his wards will overcome the tough Americans.

“My team’s getting better every day. If you want to be better tomorrow, you have to put in the hard work today – that’s our philosophy. After having lost in the final in 2010, we want to reach that stage again in 2012. So, that’s what we’ve been working towards day after day,” Nigeria coach Edwin Okon.

via Punch

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