Super Falconets get off to winning start at U20 World Cup with 1-0 victory over France

NIGERIA'S Super Falconets have got their U-20 World Cup campaign off to a flying start by beating France 1-0 in their opening game in San Jose yesterday thanks to an 85th minute goal from star striker Flourish Sabastine.

Tipped to be one of the teams to look out for in the tournament, the Falconets were placed in a tough Group C that included France, Canada and South Korea. Yesterday, they got their campaign going in a hard-fought match that saw the French coming very close to scoring in the first half but wasteful finishing on their part saved Nigeria's bacon.

Then, after 20 minutes, the referee had to suspend the game due to a torrential downpour but after an hour's delay, the match could resume. France is Europe's top team at this level but the poor weather conditions in San Jose, the Costa Rican capital, hindered fluid football, ruining what should have been a spectacle.

Seven minutes into the game, midfielder Esther Onyenezide caused panic in the French penalty area with an intelligent free kick. Then eight minutes after resumption, Magnaba Folquet had to desperately head the ball away from goal as Nigeria pushed forward.

In the second half, both teams fought hard to take the lead and two minutes before the hour mark, Mercy Idoko failed to connect properly at the end of a sweet team move that would have granted Nigeria the lead. Then, 20 minutes from time, goalkeeper Oyono Omini provided a critical block in the vital area as France surged forward.

From then on, the game flowed from end to end as both teams attacked with zest and defended resolutely. Substitute Jade Nassi thought she had put France ahead when she slotted home from a goalmouth melee that followed a corner kick in the 80th minute but referee Gonzales consulted the Video Assistant Referee which correctly ruled out the strike for a foul on goalkeeper Omini.

Five minutes later, Nigeria got the goal that their effort and enterprise deserved when Sabastine raced onto a brilliant Mercy Idoko pass, kept her composure and slotted past goalkeeper Marie-Morgane Sieber. Nigeria's next game is on Sunday against South Korea at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto, where victory should automatically guarantee a spot in the  quarter-finals.