Nigeria’s Falconets must put their opening defeat by Spain aside as they prepare for a crucial Group F meeting with China on Thursday evening, head coach Moses Aduku says.
The Falconets return to Stadion Sosnowiec for their second fixture of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after losing 2-0 to Spain, the 2022 champions, in their opening match.
Aduku’s side now face a China team who made an emphatic start to the tournament, defeating debutants New Caledonia 5-0 in their first Group F game.
That result puts China at the top of the group, ahead of Spain on goal difference. The result also gives the Chinese an early advantage as the teams compete for places in the knockout stage.
Nigeria’s defeat means a positive result against China will be important to their hopes of progressing. With qualification still within reach, the Falconets know they have an opportunity to strengthen their position in the group by responding against the side that currently leads it.
Aduku said his players had already moved on from the disappointment of the loss to Spain and were preparing with renewed focus for their next challenge.
“We have put the match against Spain behind us and are focusing totally on the clash with China. The players are ready to come out stronger for the match against China,” Aduku toldthenff.com.
The match represents Nigeria’s second chance to make an impression in Group F after they were unable to score against Spain. Aduku’s team will be seeking an improved performance against China as they attempt to keep their campaign on course.
China’s five-goal victory over New Caledonia has made them the early pace-setters, while Spain also began with three points after beating Nigeria. New Caledonia, who are making their tournament debut, will be looking for their first points when they face Spain in the group’s other fixture.
That meeting will also have a bearing on the qualification picture, but the Falconets’ immediate attention is on their own encounter with China. A strong result would give Nigeria renewed momentum before the final group-stage calculations are made.
Aduku has therefore urged his players to respond on the pitch rather than dwell on the opening-day setback. The coach remains confident that the Falconets are ready to produce a stronger display when they return to Stadion Sosnowiec.
Nigeria’s clash with China will be followed by Spain’s meeting with New Caledonia in the other Group F fixture.