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NZL vs NGR
U17 Women's World Cup
Estadio Cibao FC, Santiago de los Caballeros
Women's
Under 17
New Zealand U17
vs
Nigeria U17
1
FT
4
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 1 - 4
The Young Football Ferns have suffered defeat to Nigeria in the opening match of their latest World Cup campaign. Make sure you join us again on Tribe for live coverage of their second group match with the Dominican Republic on Sunday. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from Santiago de los Caballeros. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.
Next up for the Young Football Ferns is a clash with the Dominican Republic back here in Santago de los Caballeros on Sunday. Given their opponents lack of pedigree, New Zealand will take on the rare position as favourites, and will be expected to come away with points. Meanwhile, Nigeria take on Ecuador, also at the same ground earlier that day.
On the basis of their performance in the first half hour, Nigeria look like one of the stronger teams at this tournament, and appear to have genuine claims for repeating their run to the bronze medal in 2018. They always looked in control for the full 90, bossing over 65% of the possession, and notching up 32 attempts at goal. Bankole Olowookere probably would have wanted another goal or two as such, but they still looked strong throughout, and dictated the tempo. The win bounces them up to the top of the group, and they'll be favorites to hold onto that spot as the group stage unfolds.
A tough learning curve for the Young Football Ferns, but despite staring down the barrel of an ugby result at the break, they bounced back and produced a response in the second half. Alana Gunn's side showed a lot more discipline in their own defensive third, closing down space for the dangerous Nigerian attack around the top of the box, and pressing slightly higher in an attempt to win the ball higher up the pitch. They also managed to keep hold of a little bit more possession, and asked more questions on the counter, with Jerez providing a target up front. Ultimately the goal was the still only real chance they created across the duration of the full 90 minutes, and they will have to show more attacking threat moving forward in their remaining group stage games.
Fulltime in Santiago de los Caballeros and the Young Football Ferns have started their campaign with a heavy defeat to Nigeria. It was a poor start that let them down, particuarly in the first half hour, as the Flamingoes surged into a three-goal lead with strikes from Shakirat Moshood, Khadijat Adegoke, Faridat Abdulwahab. They were much improved in the second half though, conceding a fourth to Taiwo Afolabi, but managing consolation goal of their own through Hannah Saxton to finish on a bright note. This was always expected to be their toughest challenge however, and they'll now need to pick up results against the Dominican Republic and Ecuador to have a shot of progressing.
90+8'
Into the final seconds, and NIgeria are happy to knock it across the back, with New Zealand holding a high line on halfway. Afolabi picks up a couple of touches, but it looks like either side are just content to hear the final whistle.
90+6'
Adegoke has switched out to the left flank late on, but her latest delivery into the middle is blocked. It looks like a game of pinball in these final exchanges, with the ball bouncing from side to side. Eglinton tries a long ball down the other end, but it beats Bartlett over the sideline.
90+5'
The ball comes back for Ibrahim and Adebayo on halfway, before Moshood goes down under a heavy challenge in midfield. Another long searching pass is sent to the top of the box, only for Jerez to step in and intercept this time.
90+3'
Adebayo and Ekezie trade passes on halfway, before their latest long ball is cleared by Dunn. There isn't the same intensity from Nigeria as they had in that first half, and they haven't exactly gone full throttle after opening up that three-goal lead. Ekezie wins a throw on the right flank.