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U-20 WWC: China 1-1 Nigeria. Ajibade the heroine as Falconets seal quarterfinal place

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A last-gasp strike from Rasheedat Ajibade was the tonic Nigeria needed to draw 1-1 with China and seal their place in the quarter final of the 2018 U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the Stade de Clos Gastel on Monday.

The Falconets needed a draw or win in the final group match.
Coach Christopher Danjuma made one alteration to the team that started the 1-0 win over Haiti, with Igboamalu Grace taking the place of Anam Imo. China goalkeeper Xu Huan stood firm to make a smart save from Bashirat Amoo’s free kick in the third minute.

There was another good sign for Nigeria, this time through Rasheedat Ajibade who whipped a sweet cross to the path of Monday Gift but the latter couldn’t direct her header beyond the keeper.

Jin Kun had a clear sight of goal after ghosting past Joy Duru. Her low shot was well taken by the dependable Chiamaka Nnadozie.

 The game opened up with the two teams cancelling themselves out in the tension soaked fixture. Powerful midfielder Christy Ucheibe was uncompromising in her approach to the match. She interchanged passes with Ajibade. Ucheibe’s delivery to Gift wasn’t converted. China rued their luck as Shen Mengyu saw her effort hit the woodwork. The striker beat three defenders before releasing a powerful screamer which left Nnadozie completely stranded in the 24th minute. In an end-to-end stuff, Nigeria had an opportunity to draw the curtain raiser. Huan dived low to stop Peace Efih’s trademark volley. China caused the Falconets troubles from set pieces. A cross from the right arrived at the path of captain Wang Linlin who was wasteful with her header. Captain Wang Linlin failed to punish the ball watching Falconets defenders when she was presented the gift of a free header. The Chinese side deservedly drew the curtain raiser. Zhang Linyan dribbled past Mary Ologbosere and Opeyemi Sunday before she side-footed past Nnadozie in the 42nd minute.

 Nigeria coach Christopher Danjuma urged his girls to attack with positivity in the second half.

Igboamalu Grace brought a fine save from Huan, as the goalkeeper dived at full stretch to save the header.
Kun struck into the arms of Nnadozie down the other end of the field as China had a flurry of chances late in the second half – also coming close through Linyan and Linlin from corners. Linyan should have increased the scoreline having been found by Mengyu in a central position, but she sent effort wide of the post. Peace Efih found space inside the China box early in the second period before striking towards goal, but her effort couldn’t trouble Huan. Nnadozie showed great reflexes to frustrate Wang Yanwen who curled a stunning volley to the left post. Defender Sunday made a goal line clearance in the dying moments after Kun’s header beat Nnadozie. Nigeria leveled up through Ajibade who drove home an inviting cross from substitute Aishat Bello in the fifth minute of stoppage time. 

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