Aduku: Falconets Will Approach Spain Clash Like Cup Final
Nigeria’s Falconets head coach Moses Aduku says his team will approach Monday’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Group F opener against Spain like a cup final as they target a winning start to their campaign.
The two-time runners-up will face the European champions at Stadion Sosnowiec from 5pm local time (4pm Nigeria time), with Aduku confident his players are ready for the challenge.
‘We are looking forward to the match against Spain with high expectations. We are ready and set to go. Spain is a good side no doubt; let us not forget they are champions of the world at men’s senior level,’ Aduku said.
‘However, we will approach the game like a Cup final because we want to win. The three points will put us in good stead in our group phase campaign.’
Spain have emerged as a major force in the competition in recent years, reaching the final in France in 2018 before losing 3-1 to Japan.
Despite the defeat, Patricia Guijarro won both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe. Spain went a step further two years later in Costa Rica, defeating Japan to claim the world title.
The Falconets also have a rich history in the tournament. Nigeria reached the final for the first time in 2010, famously defeating the United States on penalties in the semi-finals in Augsburg before losing 2-0 to hosts Germany in Bielefeld. That run made Nigeria the first African nation to reach the final of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Asisat Oshoala also starred for Nigeria at the 2014 edition in Canada, winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe after scoring seven goals, although the Falconets narrowly lost the final to Germany after extra time in Montreal.
Aduku will now hope his charges can produce another memorable performance against Spain on Monday before turning their attention to their remaining Group F matches against China on Thursday and New Caledonia on Sunday.
