Falconets seek perfect record against Canada

Falconets . PHOTO: Ian Walton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty

High-riding Nigeria will look to make it a perfect group phase campaign at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup when they clash with Canada at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto in what would be the early hours of tomorrow (3.00 a.m.) in Nigeria. Kick-off in Alajuela would be 8.00 p.m. Costa Rica time, today.

Riding high as the top team of Group C following 1-0 wins over France and Canada has thrown the Falconets into the harshest spot of the klieg lights, but Head Coach, Chris Danjuma Musa, says his girls have their feet firmly on the ground, as they confront the North Americans for another three points.

“We would like to make it three wins out of three to maintain a great mental state –the winning mentality. If we are used to winning, it would be difficult for any team to bring us down.

“It would be a mistake to reduce our pace and zest simply because we have qualified for the quarter-finals. The best way to do it, always, is to consider each match as a task that must be accomplished and not slow down. We will still meet tougher teams ahead and the winning mentality is what will sustain us.”

Canada, who hosted the tournament eight years ago when Nigeria reached the Final for the second time (losing by the odd goal to Germany), is riding an impossibility wave after losing their first two games to the Korean Republic and France, with a disadvantage of four goals.

With Nigeria already qualified, the battle for the second spot from Group C is a straight one between Korean Republic and France, who play simultaneously (3.00 a.m. Nigeria time) at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose. Both teams have three points each.

For Canada to sneak through, they would have to achieve a high-score win