Falconets too much for Japan

FIFA 2010 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria took a major step towards advancing to the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Japan in Augsburg. The Falconets, who had haggard England 1-1 to open Group C, now have four points and are sure to be in a good place no matter what happens in the later match between England and Mexico.

The Japanese draw Mexico 3-3 in a exciting come-from-behind meet in the first round of matches, but there was not adequate play for them on Saturday as Nigeria made Amarachi Okoronkwo and want Oparanozie’s early goals stand-up in spite of Mana Iwabuchi’s second half consolation.

The west Africans got the starter in just the 6th minute after Ebere Orji’s tricky cross caused a miscommunication among Shoko Yamada and goalkeeper Erina Yamane. Through a race to the ball Okoronkwo proved the fastest to touch in her first goal of the finals. The disappointing suspicious lapse was multiplied just minutes later from what was just Nigeria’s second shot on goal. As have all of the Falconet’s goals in the contest, it was created by Orji, in this case bursting with menace down the left flank. And again it was the same combination that struck against England, with Oparanozie finishing coolly at the back post.