Costa Rica 2022: Falconets Defeat France In A Tension Soaked Encounter

By Akinwale Kasali

A Flourish Sabastine 85th- minute solo strike was all the Falconets needed to record a 1-0 Victory over European Champions, France, at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 Female World Cup in Costa Rica.

The Falconets had started the match at San Jose Stadium as the minnow team, but grew into the game as it gathered momentum, absorbing the pressure from the French ladies.

There was relatively no much action in the first 20 minute as the French team dominated the game and dictated the pace with the Nigerian team sitting back.

The game was halted for over an hour following a heavy downpour that saw the pitch waterlogged, prompting the center referee to halt the game with both teams returning to their respective dressing room.

At the resumption of the match after the rain subsided, France continued from where they stopped dictating the pace with the Falconets, this time, forcing a counter attack on the France team.

This did not metamorphose into anything positive as no meaningful chance was created.

Nigeria got the best chance of the game with a square play from Flourish Sabastine linking up with Mercy Idoko whose shot was saved by the French Goalkeeper for a corner kick.

The French team didn’t rest on their oars as its gangling striker, Sangare, hit a powerful shot that was also saved by the Nigeria goalkeeper, Monle Oyono.

The Video Assistant Referee, VAR, rescued the Falconets who went a goal down from a corner kick that was converted but a foul occurred in the process, as VAR yanked off the goal.

Few minutes later, a through pass from Mercy Idoko released Flourish Sabastine who outpaced her makers to score a brilliant solo goal to give the Falconets the needed three points to go top of the Group.

Coach Chris Danjuma started the game with Monle Oyono in goal, Oluwatosin Demehin, Omowunmi Oshobukola, Rofiat Imuran and Jumoke Alani in the defense line.

Joy Jerry, Mercy Idoko, Motunrayo Amoo and Deborah Abiodun in the midfield with Flourish Sabastine and Esther Onyenezide leading the attack.

The Falconets face South Korea on Sunday, 14th August, 2022, in their second match of the World Showpiece.