FIFA U-17 WOMEN&039;S WORLD CUP – EARLY GOAL SETS UP WIN FOR NIGERIA

WELLINGTON – A sensational goal after just 22 seconds by Soo Adekwagh helped guide Nigeria to a crucial opening 2-1 win over Korea Republic in Group D of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008 at Wellington Stadium today.

Adekwagh’s spliced shot from 20 metres out was completely misread by Korea Republic goalkeeper Lee Hyo Ju who watched on in horror as the ball dipped sharply before it ended up in the back of the net.

Lee Hyo Ju made amends for her early gaffe with a stunning close range save from Gloria Ofoegbu just moments later. But Assistant Referee Jacqueline Stephenson had her flag raised for offside and a goal would not have counted but the quality of the save was remarkable nonetheless.

The early goal stunned Korea Republic and handed Nigeria the initiative as they enjoyed dominance in the first 20 minutes of the match. Korea Republic slowly gained a foothold in the match without creating many chances of their own until substitute Ji So Yun crossed for Lee Min Sun whose acrobatic scissor kick landed on the roof of Nigeria’s netting on the half-hour mark.

Both teams struggled to maintain cohesion or rhythm in their approach play with attacking moves and possession breaking down regularly. Korea Republic was restricted to a series of half-chances with the most notable when Hyun Young Lee’s cross to the far post was narrowly missed by the onrushing Hyun Su Mok.

Nigeria nearly doubled their lead just before the break when Desire Oparanozie made a break down the left before unleashing a shot that hit the face of the crossbar to safety.

Korea Republic started the second half more positively creating several useful opportunities including two shots by Lee Hyun Young that forced Nigeria goalkeeper and captain Marbel Egwuenu into two saves equal to the task.

After working their way back into the match, Korea Republic manufactured their second telling defensive error of the match when Nigerian substitute Amenze Aighewi latched onto a wayward backpass and scored her team’s second goal on 60 minutes.

Korea Republic morale appeared to wane after that but they were thrown a lifeline when influential midfielder Ji so Yun capitalised on a poor clearance by Desire Oparanozie and fired a snap-shot against the underbelly of the crossbar before beating Nigeria goalkeeper Egwuenu.

* Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) match officials made their tournament bow at New Zealand – 2008 as 26-year-old referee Finau Vulivuli of Fiji joined assistant referees’ Jovita Qilamasala of Solomon Islands and Jacqueline Stephenson of New Zealand in charge of the Group D match between Nigeria and Korea Republic.

The OFC trio have officiated at a raft of domestic and regional qualification tournaments with Vulivuli and Qilamasala involved in referee development courses in Europe in recent times. Jacqueline Stephenson has officiated at previous OFC tournament including the OFC Women’s Championship in Papua New Guinea last year. Qilamasala has officiated at men’s domestic competitions in the Solomon Islands including the DJ Graphics League and National Clubs Championship.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand 2008

Nigeria (1) 2 (14. Soo ADEKWAGH 1’, 11. Amenze AIGHEWI 60’)

Wellington Stadium

Attendance: 11500.

KOR: 1. LEE Hyo Ju [gk]; 2. SEO Hyun Sook, 3. LEE Eun Kyung, 6. LEE Young Ju (4. OH Hye Jin 46’), 7. MOK Hyun Su (10. JI So Yun 33’), 8. SHIN Mi Na (C), 9. LEE Hyun Young, 11. PARK Hee Young, 17. LEE Mi Na (14. CHO Sun Hwa 72’), 18. LEE Min Sun, 20. KOH Kyung Yeon. 

Substitutes Not Used: 13. LEE Han Na [rgk], 21. JUNG Bo Ram [rgk], 5. SONG Ari, 12. JEOUN Eun Ha, 15. OH Yu Sun, 16. OH Hye Mi, 19. KIM Jung In [rgk].

Yellow Cards: None.

Red Cards: None.

Coach: KIM Yong Ho (KOR)

NIG: 12. Marbel EGWUENU [gk] ©; 2. Nina EGEONU 4.Martina OHADUGHA, 6. Gloria OFOEGBU, 9. Desire OPARANOZIE, 14. Soo ADEKWAGH, 15. Helen UKAONU, 16. Regina MACFANCY, 17. Ebere ORJI (11. Amenze AIGHEWI 54’), 18. Josephine CHUKWUNONYE 20. Ngozi OKOBI.

Subtitutes Not Used: 1. Favour OKEKE [rgk], 21. Asebe ADAMU [rgk], 3. Doris EWHUBARE, 5. Maria NWOKO, 7. Eno UMOH, 8. Ngozi EBERE, 10. Amarachi OKORONKWO, 13. Valentine IBE, 19. Prudent UGOH.

Yellow Cards: 16. Regina MACFANCY 49’.

Red Cards: None.

Coach: IBE UKWU Felix (NIG)

Referee: VULIVULI Finau (FIJ)

Assistant Referee 1: STEPHENSON Jacqueline (NZL)

Assistant Referee 2: QILAMASALA Jovita (SOL)

Fourth official: ALVARADO Quetzalli (MEX)

Nigeria and Korea Republic in action during today’s Group D action at Wellington Stadium – Images courtesy of Foto-Net

Group D

Standings – 30.10.08