The Falconets of Nigeria have bolstered their chances of securing qualification for the knock-out stage of the ongoing FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup following a spirited 0-0 draw with China.
Nigeria battled it out with their Asian counterparts during the stalemate in their second game in Group F, getting their first point of the competition, and are in a promising position to navigate to the next stage of the competition.
The Green and White jerseyed side, who had the presence of the heavily missed Janet Akekoromowei, who missed their first match defeat to Spain due to visa issues restricting her from joining her teammates, visibly improved their performance in the game registering 54% ball possession compared to China’s 46.
In the encounter held on Thursday in Poland host country, the Falconets made nine total shots, two of them on target to China’s 14 and three on targett, the West Africans taking nine corner kicks to two registered by China.
The draw pushes the Falconets to one point three behind China on four and five adrift of Spain who have six, and also upfront of New Caledonia who are yet to get a point after losing 11-0 to the European side and a five-nill loss to China.
Nigeria would do themselves a lot of good if they can beat New Caledonia and better China’s points and goal difference, the Asian side playing table toppers, Spain in their last group match.
A win in the game would put them in a promising situation ro advance into the next stage as they would fancy their chances of qualifying through the best losers’ supplementary phase.