Record-Setting Falconets Face Netherlands Quarter Final Hurdle

By Chidi Nwoke, Abuja.

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The Falconets of Nigeria, who set a perfect group stage record in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after beating Canada 3-1, will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the competition.

At the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto in Costa Rica, the Falconets finished Group C with a perfect nine points out of nine games.

Head Coach, Christopher Danjuma said before the encounter that his ladies would seek to win even as the quarter-final ticket was already in the bag.

Two goals from Falconets midfielder Esther Onyenezide and one from substitute Chioma Olise, was enough to seal a 3-1 come-from-behind victory for Nigeria.

Falconets midfielder Esther Onyenezide (L) celebrates goal against Canada during FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

According to Danjuma, the goal was to sustain their winning mentality following hard-fought victories over France and Korea Republic. That was exactly what the Falconets did.

“It was great for us to come back from that setback, and also conceding first in the tournament,” Danjuma said after the match.

“We showed character and spirit, and that would be huge for us going forward in the competition,”

With Thursday’s outcome, the Falconets now have a quarter-final date with The Netherlands in Alajuela on Monday.

However, Danjuma hopes to make amends in Costa Rica this term. The Falconets were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the previous edition of the competition in France, losing 2-1 to Spain.

This season, the Falconets’ coach wants to not only improve his personal record, but also win what will be a historic title for Nigeria and Africa.

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