The national under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos caused one of the biggest upsets at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco by brushing aside the defending champions North Korea in their last group game at Pitch 1 of Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat
The Nigerian youngsters were not given much of a chance with the best expectation being holding the Koreans to a draw especially after the defending champions humiliated Poland, who defeated the Nigeria girls.
Not many, not even the [layers and the handlers would have predicted the outcome of the match but the Flamingos surprised even themselves by shocking the defending champions North Korea 3-1 to qualify for the Round of 16 of the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Group B .
Two first half goals scored by striker Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (15′) and Oluebube Umejiaku (38′) who replaced Captain Harmony Chidi in the starting line-up as well as the third goal in the the second half converted by Kanyinsola Yusuf (56′) were all that the Flamingos needed to overcome the defending champions
The Koreans howeevr fought back to score a face saving goal by forward YU Jong Hyang (82′) towards the end of the highly explosive encounter, and despite their spirited fight back towards the dying minutes of the game when they laid a siege in the Nigerian defence could not change the tide
Not even the triple attempts on goal in the 90’+6′ minute by YU Jong Hyang ; 90’+7 minute by RI Kyong Im and 90’+8′minute by KIM Won Sim could breach the Nigerian defence with Flamingos’ goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho standing between the Koreans and another goal.
