FIFA U17 WWC: Flamingos Slide Into Knockout Stage, Crush North Korea
By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria smashed defending champions, North Korea 3-1 to seal a place in knockout stage of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Hakeem Busari tutored side defeated stunned critics with a phenomenal performance against a high scoring North Korea side.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Oluebube Umejiaku and Rodiat Yusuf gave the Flamingos a breath of relief after starting the competition with the wrong foot.
Midfielder, Mary Dustan provided a subtle assist to Adegbuyi who fired Nigeria ahead from close range in the 15th minute.
Getting her first start of the competition, Umejiaku received a wonderful pass from Tosin Rafiu to double the Flamingos lead in the 38th minute.
The Flamingos were blazing high in the game and curtailed the attacking threats of North Korea leaving the defending champions helpless in their attacking moves.
Nigeria outsmarted the North Koreans in the first 45 minutes to take the lead to the break.
The Flamingos tactics of sitting deep and hitting the defending champions on the counter attack have proved decisive for the Africa giants.
Eleven minutes after the start of the second half, Left back, Yusuf scored a delightful free kick to extend Nigeria’s lead in the encounter.
North Korea got a consolation from the spot as Yu Jong Hyang pulled a goal back for the defending champions.
Six points from three games was enough to see the Flamingos advance to the round of 16. While other group competitors, Poland and North Korea also finished with six points apiece.
