Falconets Rout New Caledonia 10-1
Nigeria booked a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup last-16 meeting with England by beating New Caledonia 10-1 in Łódź on Sunday, as Portugal also went through and Spain and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea finished their groups unbeaten.
Ramotalahi Kareem, named player of the match, opened from the spot in the 17th minute after Tosin Rafiu won the penalty, scored again in the 27th and completed a hat-trick in the 64th. Rebecca Adegbemile headed in the 19th and 74th. Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei made it three before the break in the 23rd. Winner Onajite David converted penalties in the 60th and 75th. Rafiu added a strike from outside the area in the 70th. Joceline Kourevi pulled one back for New Caledonia in the 89th – the island side’s first goal of the tournament, and a first World Cup appearance they still left with pride. Kareem said the Falconets would prepare properly for “a strong side” in England. Coach Moses Aduku’s team finished Group F as runners-up.
The knockout draw, which starts on Wednesday, pairs England with Nigeria, Spain with Portugal, DPR Korea with Japan, hosts Poland with Colombia, Argentina with Korea Republic, Brazil with the United States, Italy with China PR and France with Canada. China PR and Colombia advanced among the best third-placed teams despite Sunday defeats.
Portugal, in the finals for the first time, beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Sosnowiec and scored their first goals of the competition. Anna Marques headed in the seventh minute and added a second in the 58th; Carolina Tristão, player of the match, scored in the 34th. Costa Rica have now played 15 matches at this tournament without a point.
Spain topped Group F with a 3-1 win over China PR. Daniela Agote scored a 19th-minute penalty; Pau Comendador, player of the match, struck in the 41st and in first-half stoppage time. Huang Jiaxin headed her fourth of the tournament in the 66th. Wang Jun said China would try to be more aggressive against Italy.
DPR Korea beat Colombia 3-0. Choe Rim-Jong curled in the 11th-minute opener; Choe Yon-A, player of the match, scored penalties in the 81st and 85th. The last-16 tie with Japan repeats April’s AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final, which Japan won 1-0.
