U20 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria bow to Netherlands in quarter-final
The Falconets’ run at the 2022 FIFA Under20 Women’s World Cup has ended after a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in the quarter-final.
It took only 11 minutes for the Dutch ladies to break the deadlock after a daring cross from the left flank was poorly cleared by Nigeria’s Oluwatosin Demehin, and it fell at the feet of Zera Hulswit who made no mistake in slotting home from the edge of the box, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Omini Oyono.
Christopher Danjuma’s ladies got chances of their own with Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun rattling the woodwork, and Flourish Sebastine also came close to an equaliser.
However, it was Ziva Caroline Henry who dashed Nigeria’s hopes, taking advantage of yet another poor clearance from Demehin and a sublime finish from 12 yards out in the 33rd minute.
The Falconets did not go down without a fight as they pressed to restore parity, but to no avail.
The Netherlands progress to the final 4, to set up a semi-final clash with Spain at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica.
