Daily Trust

Falconets commended, urged to beat Haiti, China

- By David Ngobua @Ngobuadavi­d

Despite falling 0-1 to Germany in their opening match of the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France, the Falconets have received words of commendati­on and encouragem­ent from a female football coach, Ngozi Ezeh.

Yesterday’s loss to Germany made it the third defeat suffered by the Falconets in the hands of the Germans who had beaten them in the finals of the 2010 and 2014 editions junior World Cup.

In a chat with Daily Trust, the retired football referee and Manager of FCT Queens Football Club said the Falconets deserve commendati­on because they put up a spirited fight against their more illustriou­s opponents.

She said although the Falconets didn’t get the result they wanted, they were not overwhelme­d by their opponents.

Ezeh also said a little luck on the side of the Falconets would have seen them end of the the highly competitiv­e match with at least a point.

“I am satisfied with the performanc­e of the girls. They put in their best and should be commended.

“The first match in any competitio­n is usually very difficult to play. Although they lost the match, they were not out-played by the Germans.

“I believe a little luck on their side would have seen them pick at least a point. If Peace Efih’s shot did not hit the side-post, it would have been a different story,” she said.

Ezeh, therefore, charged the girls to go for the maximum points in their remaining group matches against debutants Haiti and China Republic.

She said going the performanc­e of Falconets, they will qualify from the group.

“I want them to put behind them the result against Germany. They should concentrat­e on the matches against Haiti and China.

“I am confident they will win their remaining matches to reach the quarter-finals,” she said. by the still

 ?? Photo: AFP ?? Nigeria’s Adebisi Saheed (R) vies for the ball with Germany’s Jana Feldkamp during the Women’s U20 World Cup Group D match at the Marville stadium in Saint-Malo, northweste­rn France, yesterday
Photo: AFP Nigeria’s Adebisi Saheed (R) vies for the ball with Germany’s Jana Feldkamp during the Women’s U20 World Cup Group D match at the Marville stadium in Saint-Malo, northweste­rn France, yesterday

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