By Akinwale Kasali
The Falconets of Nigeria has seen its quest for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup glory come to an end, as goals from Hulswit and Henry gave Netherlands the World Cup Semi Fonal ticket.
As expected, the Falconets started the game brightly, shooting from all cylinders but could not beat the Netherlands goalkeeper.
The Falconets Coach, Christopher Danjuma, started the game with Omini Oyono in goal, Oluwatosin Demehin, Oshobukola, Rofiat
Imuran and Jumoke Alani in the defense line up.
Esther Onyenezide, Deborah Abiodun, Motunrayo Amoo, Mercy Idoko, Flourish Sabastine, with Precious Okwuchukwu leading the attack.
In the 11th minute, the first major attack and the first shot at goal gave the Netherlands the lead courtesy of Hulswit.
The Falconets didn’t relent. They kept on mounting pressure on their European opponents, hitting the woodwork on two occasions.
The Nigerian Ladies also forced the Dutch goalkeeper to make some brilliant and smart saves, before a defensive blunder from the Falconets Captain, Demehin, who mis-kicked the ball in the Nigerian half, gifting Netherlands midfielder, Henry, the opportunity to slot home the second goal.
The first half ended with the only surviving African team, Falconets, at the competition trailing their European counterpart.
At the resumption of the second half, the Falconets didn’t rest on their oars as they kept looking for the much needed Bola to change the dynamics of the game.
Sadly, all their efforts proved abortive as the match ended 2-0 in favour of the Netherlands.
This is the sixth time the Falconets have failed to go beyond the Quarterfinals in their 10th appearance at the World Under-20 Female Soccer fiesta.
Nigeria was finalist in 2010 and 2014, on both occasions, the African side lost.
With this victory, Netherlands will face Spain in the Semi Final, while Brazil will face the winner between Japan and France in the last Quarter Final match.
