Super Falconets set up quarter final clash with Spain after 95th minute equaliser against China

NIGERIA'S Super Falconets pulled off a miraculous escape yesterday qualifying for the quarter finals of the ongoing U20 World Cup in France with the last kick of the game thanks to a 95th minute equaliser against China.

Captain Rashidat Ajibade  scored the last gasp goal, forcing China to a 1-1 draw and knocking them out of the tournament as they have an inferior goals difference to Nigeria. Both countries have four points and were battling for second place behind Germany who topped the group with nine points but Nigeria won the race and now face Spain in the quarter finals.

Ahead of the epic match at the Stade du Clos Gastel in Dinan-Lehon, China needed a victory to leapfrog Nigeria to the runners-up spot in the group and was the more dangerous side in the first half. Mengyu Shen had the first chance of the match on 25 minutes when she hit the Nigeria crossbar and a few minutes later, Captain Linlin Wang headed over from close range.

China’s breakthrough came four minutes before half-time, as the diminutive Linyan Zhang turned her Nigerian marker in the box and stroked the ball past a diving Chiamaka Nnadozie to give the Asians the lead at the break. Upon the resumption of the game, the Super Falconets pushed hard in search of an equaliser but found the Chinese backline and goalkeeper Huan Xu in resilient form.

In the second half, China threatened as they created several scoring chances, while poor marksmanship was the Falconets’ major undoing. China looked well set to cruise into the quarter-final before the 95th minute but now go home, while Nigeria will face Spain in Concarneau on Thursday August 16.

With seconds left to play, substitute Aishat Bello’s byline cross from the right saw captain Rasheedat Ajibade challenge for the ball with China right-back Jiaxing Dou. Bello’s cross struck the Chinese defender before nestling in the back of the net and sparking emotional celebrations from Falconets at the full-time whistle.