Falconets too much for Japan

Nigeria's Esther Sunday is pursued by Japan's Emi Nakajima, left, and Shoko Yamada.

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 drawn England 1-1 to open Group C, now have four points and are sure to be in a good position no matter what happens in the later match between England and Mexico.

The Japanese drew Mexico 3-3 in a thrilling come-from-behind encounter in the first round of matches, but there was not enough drama for them on Saturday as Nigeria made Amarachi Okoronkwo and Desire Oparanozie's early goals stand-up despite Mana Iwabuchi's second half consolation.

The west Africans scored the opener in just the 6th minute after Ebere Orji's tricky cross caused a miscommunication between Shoko Yamada and goalkeeper Erina Yamane. With a race to the ball Okoronkwo proved the fastest to touch in her first goal of the finals. The discouraging defensive 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 tournament, 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.

Japan were then two goals down for the second match on the trot, and just as they did against the Mexicans, they showed great spirit in their fight-back. Before half-time the impressive Iwabuchi created a chance - but Nigeria goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan denied Natsuki Kishikawa - and spurned one of her own when she dwelled on the ball when all alone in the area in injury time.

With Japan pushing and the Nigerians comfortable in attack, the match came to life in the second period, with Iwabuchi and Kishikawa going close in the early going, and the Falconets showing how dangerous they could be as Esther Sunday played a quick one-two with Orji through the heart of the Japanese defence. Iwabuchi was the next star to shine, and she found the net thanks to her clever speed of thought and being quickest to take advantage of some shaky goalkeeping moments in the 62nd minute.

But the Japanese sputtered on the rocks of Sunday and Orji, who continued to dominate proceedings through the last half hour, and the best chance to score in the final moments fell to Oparanozie at the end of a lightning-fast African counterattack.

Nigeria will next face Mexico on Wednesday in Bochum, while Japan take on England at the same time in Bielefeld.

Credit: FIFA.com