U20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets Whitewash New Caledonia, Books Round Of 16 Place

By Saheed Afolabi

The Nigeria U20 women’s national team crushed New Caledonia 10-1 to book a place in the round of 16 of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

Ramotallahi Kareem and Winner David bagged hat tricks in the game, while Rebecca Adegbemile scored a brace and solitary goal from Tosin Rafiu and Janet Akekoromowei.

Kareem got the Falconets to a golden start in the game as she converted a 17th minute penalty to give her side the lead.

Two minutes later, Defender, Adegbemile doubled Nigeria’s lead with a thumping header.

Akekoromowei tripled the scoreline for Nigeria’s lead in the 23rd minute, while Kareem hit her second goal of the game in the 27th minute.

The Falconets took a four goal lead to the break as they search for more goals to ease their qualification to the next round.

Coming off the halftime break, Nigeria continued their dominance in the encounter with David getting her first goal of the day in the 60th minute.

Kareem clinical prowess came into play as she grabbed her first hat trick of the competition in the 64th minute.

Rafiu also got on the score sheet with 70th minute goal, while Adegbemile 74th minute goal and Winner’s 75th minute strike clinched the Falconets 9th goal of the game.

However, Joceline Kourevi for a consolation goal for New Caledonia in the 89th minute.

David also earned her maiden hat trick of the tournament with her 90th minute strike.

The huge win sealed Falconets second place finish behind table toppers, Spain in the group standings, while China finished in third place and New Caledonia takes the rock bottom position with no point in three games.

The Falconets will face England in the round of 16 as they aim for a quarter final place which they last qualified for at the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.