Tag: Nigeria U20 WNT

U-20 WWC: The USA Wins Third Title, Defeats Germany [Brief]

After struggling in the group stage, the United States Under-20 Women’s National Team put on a solid defensive effort and defeated Germany in the final of the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup on a lone goal from Kealia Ohai, off an assist from fellow UNC Tar Heel, Crystal Dunn.

USA captain Julie Johnston (centerback) won the Bronze Ball for third overall best player, with Japan’s Hanae Shibata getting Silver and Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsan claiming top honors, the Golden Ball. Germany’s Laura Benkarth won the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper.

FINAL: United States 1, Germany 0.
USA Goal: Kealia Ohai (44′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, USSoccer.com write-up, ESPN3 replay*.

*For those who only want to watch the goal-scoring play, that sequence begins at the 01:02:45 mark, off a free kick restart. The replay also has the closing ceremony.

In the earlier match, host Japan weathered a potential comeback by Nigeria to secure a third place finish.

THIRD PLACE: Japan 2, Nigeria 1.
JPN Goals: Y. Tanaka (24′), Nishikawa (50′).
NGA Goal: Oparanozie (73′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.

U-20 WWC: The Semifinals – The United States and Germany Win, Will Meet in the Final

After struggling in the group stage, the United States are right where they wanted to be, in the final of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, after defeating Nigeria 2:0 on Tuesday in the first semifinal, via a header goal by Morgan Brian and a counter-attack goal off the foot of Kealia Ohai. In the later semifinal, host Japan fell to a merciless Germany who scored a goal in the first minute and then added two more in the next eighteen minutes.

Thus, the United States and Germany will meet in the title match on September 8th at 6:30 a.m. EDT. That match will be televised live on ESPNU, starting at 6:20 a.m. EDT, with Adrian Healey and Julie Foudy as commentators, instead of the single pool announcer (Foudy’s Twitter). Continue reading “U-20 WWC: The Semifinals – The United States and Germany Win, Will Meet in the Final”

U-20 WWC: Quarterfinals Round-Up – Nigeria, Japan, Germany, and the USA Advance

The quarterfinals matches for the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup were a mix of the predictable and the dramatic.

On the predictable side, Germany rather easily defeated Norway 3:0. The match between Japan and South Korea was more a mix of predictable and dramatic, with South Korea getting an early equalizer before Japan re-took the lead for good.

The other two quarterfinals, Mexico vs. Nigeria, and United States vs. North Korea, were each a bit more dramatic, as both went to extra time. Against Mexico, Nigeria needed a stoppage time goal to seal victory. Meanwhile, the United States took a 1:0 lead over North Korea off a strike from Vanessa DiBernardo, only to see the Koreans equalize and send the match into extra time. Eight minutes into extra time, Chioma Ubogagu headed in the game-winner, off a Crystal Dunn cross. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Quarterfinals Round-Up – Nigeria, Japan, Germany, and the USA Advance”

U-20 WWC: Match Day 5 – Mexico Knocks-Out New Zealand, Brazil Falls to South Korea

The final day of group play for Groups A and B in the 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup saw Mexico crush the hearts of the Junior Football Ferns as El Tri scored four second-half goals and Brazil fall to South Korea after scoring a potential go-ahead goal that was disallowed on a disputable offside call. In the other matches, Japan and Nigeria each had relatively easy 4:0 wins over Switzerland and Italy, respectively.

With all matches played in Groups A and B, Japan and Mexico advance out of Group A, while Nigeria and South Korea advance from Group B. Thus, the quarterfinal match-ups for August 30th will be Nigeria vs. Mexico (3:00 a.m. EDT) and Japan vs. South Korea (6:30 a.m. EDT). Both matches will be shown live on ESPNU. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 5 – Mexico Knocks-Out New Zealand, Brazil Falls to South Korea”

U-20 WWC: Match Day 3 – Japan and New Zealand Tie, Brazil Gets Another Draw

On Wednesday, New Zealand created the biggest headline so far from this year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup when they got out to an early 2:0 lead and held host Japan to an eventual draw.Also in Group A, Mexico pulled out a 2:0 win over Switzerland, keeping their hopes alive, while snuffing out Switzerland’s. Meanwhile, in Group B, under-performing Brazil earned its second draw of the tournament via another late goal against Nigeria, and South Korea got their first points via a 2:0 win over Italy. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 3 – Japan and New Zealand Tie, Brazil Gets Another Draw”

U-20 WWC: Match Day 1 – Japan Cruises, New Zealand Wins, Italy and Brazil Tie

On Sunday, the 2012 edition of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup kicked off. In Group A, host Japan ended up with a dominant victory over Mexico, while New Zealand’s quality helped itself earn a win against Switzerland. Over in Group B, Nigeria finds itself alone atop the group after defeating South Korea, due to Brazil and Italy drawing in their earlier match. Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Match Day 1 – Japan Cruises, New Zealand Wins, Italy and Brazil Tie”

2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup: Group B – Preview Notes (Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, South Korea)

Of the four groups in this year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup, Group B is the biggest toss-up. Brazil, on paper, should dominate, but their usual lack of preparation may mean a repeat of 2010, when the South American champions failed to advance out of their group. 2010 Runners-Up Nigeria and Italy, who return to this tournament for the first time since 2004, are the other main contenders in this group. But the wild card is South Korea, who only qualified for this tournament after Uzbekistan was unable to host the tournament. Two years ago, the Koreans won the U-17 Women’s World Cup on penalties over Japan and finished third at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Continue reading “2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup: Group B – Preview Notes (Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, South Korea)”

U-20 WWC: Ghana and Nigeria Split Tune-Up Friendlies

Ghana’s Under-20 Women’s National Team, who will face the United States U-20 WNT in the two sides’ opening match of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup this August in Japan, recently hosted two friendlies against rival African side Nigeria. In the first match, on July 24th, Ghana, who never trailed in the friendly, defeated Nigeria 3:2, with a brace by top forward Florence Dadson. In the second match, Ghana took an early lead — in just the 2nd minute — but was unable to hold back Nigeria, who scored two unanswered goals in the second half to claim a victory.
Continue reading “U-20 WWC: Ghana and Nigeria Split Tune-Up Friendlies”