AUCKLAND-Soo Adekwagh scored the fastest goal of the tournament after just 20 seconds, as Nigeria’s Flamingoes made a winning start to their campaign in the first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win over Korea Republic.
Nigeria’s other goal was scored by Amenze Aighewi on the hour mark, while substitute Ji So Yun made sure of a tense finish with five minutes to go.
In truth though, the Koreans will have themselves to blame for giving away two soft goals.
The Koreans admitted their respect for the African champions coming into the game, and their apprehensions were justified almost direct from kickoff.
Adekwagh latched on to a poor clearance and skewed a half shot, half volley that just dipped at the right moment into the top corner.
Even the goal scorer could barely believe her luck.
Stung into action, the Asians came storming back and dominated possession, even though the Nigerians created the better chances.
But the lead was to be extended soon after, again with help from the Korean defence.
Nigeria goalkeeper Mabel Egweonu’s long delivery led to hesitancy from the defence, and a poor back pass was pounced on by Aighewi for Nigeria’s second.
Buoyed by a two-goal advantage, the Flamingoes decided to jettison any attempt at passing, or even keeping the ball on the ground and found themselves under a sustained siege from the Koreans who looked to be coming closer and closer to reducing the arrears.
It was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened, and it duly did.
Ji So Yun had failed a fitness test just before the game, but with things getting desperate; she was thrown into the fray and duly delivered with a well-taken goal that went in off the post.
It was a tense last five minutes for Nigeria, although they did fashion out one good chance to make the game safe. There were to be no further goals though, and Nigeria start with a win, but are only second behind England, who stunned Brazil with late flurry to claim a 3-0 win and go top of the Group D standings.
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