Champions at Thailand 2004, the Germans have not put a foot wrong on home soil, winning all six of their games, scoring 20 goals and conceding only five, with half of their strikes coming from the prolific Alexandra Popp.
Fittingly, it was the Duisburg goal machine who put Maren Meinert’s team on the road to victory in the eighth minute, tilting the match against the Falconets, who were hoping to win the title for the first time after quarter-final exits in their previous three appearances.
Nigeria played with great spirit and never gave up but the home team should have made it easier for the capacity crowd in Bielefeld with a second strike. They finally put beyond doubt in injury time by forcing an own goal.
Though their courageous display was not quite enough to land them the trophy, the Nigerians had the considerable consolation of becoming the first African side to claim a medal at a FIFA women’s tournament.
Earlier in the day, Korea Republic claimed the spoils in the match for third place against Colombia, the only goal of the game coming from adidas Silver Ball and Silver Shoe winner Ji So Yun. While the South Koreans could take satisfaction from a podium finish in their second FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Las Cafeteras can be equally happy at reaching the last four in their maiden appearance.
Story and photo courtesy of www.fifa.com