Following a strong showing in the group stages of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, the Falconets are now back in Bogota, as they prepare for a challenging Round of 16 clash against Japan on Thursday.
The Falconets earned their place in the knockout stages with a solid 1-0 win over South Korea and a dominant 4-0 victory against Venezuela in their final group match.
These results set up a high-stakes encounter with Japan, one of the powerhouses in women’s football.
Japan, who topped Group E, were dominant scoring 13 goals and conceding just one.
Their journey to the Round of 16 saw them crush New Zealand 7-0, defeat Ghana 4-1, and overcome Australia 2-0.
As one of the tournament favourites, Japan will undoubtedly present a stern challenge to the Nigerian team.
Danjuma Confident Ahead of Japan Clash
Despite the daunting task ahead, Falconets’ coach Christopher Danjuma remains confident and proud of his team’s progress in the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the match, Danjuma praised the hard work of his players and expressed excitement about the challenge that lies ahead.
“The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts. We will take the knockout stages one match at a time.
“I must say, we are excited about facing Japan and what the match brings,” said Danjuma.
The Falconets have come close to winning the U20 Women’s World Cup in the past, finishing as runners-up in both 2010 and 2014.
Danjuma has made it clear that the team aims to go one step further this year, with the goal of winning the tournament and creating new stars, much like Asisat Oshoala, who made her mark at this level before becoming a global icon.
Japan’s Confidence and Strength
On the other side, Japan’s head coach Michihisa Kano exuded confidence in his team’s ability to go all the way in the tournament.
Known for their aggressive and fearless style of play, Japan has established itself as one of the top contenders for the title.
“For me, the aggressive and fearless approach is the strength of our Japanese women’s team and is where we excel,” Kano told FIFA, highlighting the team’s resilience and determination to succeed.
Head-to-Head: Japan vs Nigeria
The two sides have met four times with Japan holding the advantage in previous encounters.
Japan has won two matches, while Nigeria has claimed one victory, with the other match ending in a draw.
Japan has scored a total of 11 goals against Nigeria at this level, while Nigeria has managed just four goals in return.
Given this history, the Falconets will be eager to upset the odds and rewrite the script when they meet again in Bogota.
Match Details
The highly anticipated match will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota, the same venue where the Falconets played their opening two group-stage games against South Korea and Germany.
The match is scheduled for Friday, 13th September, with kickoff at 2:00 AM Nigerian time (8:00 PM Thursday in Colombia).
