Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, will today take on their counterpart from South Korea, in the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarterfinal match, at the Santiago del Estero Stadium.

Both nations have been impressive in the process of reaching this year’s U20 World Cup quarterfinals. The Taegeuk Warriors claimed a first win since their opening-day victory over France when they edged out Ecuador 3-2 in the last 16, while the Flying Eagles soared through with a terrific 2-0 win over hosts Argentina.

Today’s encounter is the third between Nigeria and South Korea at the U-20 level. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm Nigerian time.

Flying Eagles skipper has been speaking to Fifa.com ahead of the mouthwatering tie.

“Yeah. This is football. Everything can happen, and any team is beatable. As my coach would always say, ‘We just have to be disciplined, dedicated, do our job, and concentrate.’ Let’s see how it goes, but I believe in this team. We can do it.

“First of all, there is no small team in the World Cup. Every team in this competition is good. You must respect every team. Then any team in the knockout stage is obviously very good. I think the Koreans are a very good team. They have beaten other very good teams. I think they have very good players. We have a lot of respect for them,” Bameyi said.

Stats

• Korea Republic have been successful in two of their previous five U-20 World Cup quarter-final ties.
• Four of Nigeria’s last five U-20 World Cup quarter-final ties have required extra time.
• Korea Republic are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the third time. They are already the only AFC nation to feature more than once in the last four
• Nigeria have won their last four U-20 World Cup matches against AFC nations, including a 1-0 victory against Korea Republic in the 2013 group stage.

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West African giant Senegal U20 women’s clinched the first-ever WAFU U20 A Women’s Champions after successfully defeating host Sierra Leone at the Southern Arena in Bo City on Monday, CAF reports.

The high-profile encounter, which served as the third and final round of matches of the maiden age-grade women’s championship in the region, witnessed a convincing display from the Senegalese to silence the home fans.

Having won 4-0 over Guinea Bissau and a 3-1 victory over Guinea in their opening two matches, Senegal went into the contest only needing a draw to lift the title, whilst the hosts’ Sierra Leone must win following a 1-1 draw with Guinea before their matchday two 2-1 victory over Guinea Bissau to snatch the coveted trophy.

However, DSenegal proved to string for the host as they went ahead in the opening 60 seconds of the tie through taliswoman Hapsatou Diallo before Coumba Sylla Mbodji doubled the advantage in the 18th-minute to hand the visitors a two-goal at the break.

Senegal’s Hapsatou Diallo won the Player of the Match award after her early opener stirred the Terranga Lionesses to success.

After the resumption, Sierra Leone gave their best but could not find a breakthrough until the 83rd minute when Sagidatou Diallo compounded the woes of the hosts to seal the coveted crown.

In the early kickoff, Guinea defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 to end their campaign on a winning note and emerged as vice-champions.

After a barren first half, Nana Camara gave the Guineans the long-sought lead in the 80th minute before Aminita Bangoura completed the win with her last-gasp finish in additional time.

Guinea’s Nana Camara was named the Woman-of-the-Match after she inspired the Guineans to victory over Guinea Bissau.

On individual awards, Hapsatou Diallo of Senegal claimed a double prize as she won the Best Player of the Tournament and Highest goal scorer gong with five goals in three matches.

Senegal’s Khady Faye was also named the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament, having conceded only one goal in three games, while hosts Sierra Leone got the Fair Play award.

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• Adama Bojang missed the best chances in a goalless draw dominated by the table-topping Young Scorpions.

• Korea Republic 0-0 The Gambia

The Gambia maintained their unbeaten run at this FIFA U-20 World Cup™ with a draw against Korea Republic as they secured the first position in Group F.

By topping the section, the Africans set up a last-16 duel with Uruguay, while their Asian opponents – who finished second – will take on Ecuador.

On chances created, the Gambians should be advancing on the back of a third straight win after dominating an at-times dreary encounter.

Adama Bojang alone could easily have scored a hat-trick, with the best chance of the first half wasted when the unmarked striker mistimed a header and sent the ball high and wide via his left shoulder.

Then, after the same player had made a better connection early in the second period, only to find Moon Hyuno equal to his header, he fired home off the underside of the bar with 20 minutes remaining and turned in agony to see the assistant referee’s flag raised for offside.

Substitute Sallifah Colley also saw a goal-bound effort tipped onto the post and back into the arms of the grateful Moon, leaving The Gambia to conclude that this wasn’t to be their night in front of goal.

The Young Scorpions can nonetheless reflect on an outstanding Group F campaign and will be looking forward with confidence to their last-16 date with La Celeste.

The Stat

6

Korean Republic have now qualified from the group stage at each of their last six appearances at the U-20 World Cup.

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After they finished 2nd in the U-20 AFCON, the Young Scorpions won their first U-20 World Cup match since 2007, defeating Honduras 2-1 at the Mendoza Stadium on Monday.

Adama Bojang’s brace fired The Gambia to a 2-1 win over Honduras in their Argentina 2023 curtain-raiser.

The Gambia 2-1 Honduras

Goals: Bojang (1, 84), Aceituno (5)

The Gambia defeated Honduras 2-1 in an entertaining game at Mendoza Stadium in Group F of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™.

A lightning-fast start saw The Gambia take the lead after no more than 20 seconds when Adama Bojang rifled home a stunning long-range effort. Honduras responded four minutes later when Marco Aceituno headed home to an inviting Isaac Castillo centre.

The Young Scorpions almost retook the lead midway through the second half, when Bojang burst beyond Honduras’s backline and skipped around goalkeeper Juergen Garcia. Still, Geremy Rodas did exceptionally well to get back and clear his effort off the line.

Bojang would eventually break through again. Garcia did well to save a low header from the forward, but he was on hand to turn home the rebound and fire The Gambia back in front.

Honduras thought lightning had struck twice when Daniel Carter headed in just four minutes later, but replays showed the substitute was marginally offside and the goal was chalked off.

The Gambia and Honduras will return to Group F action on Thursday against France and Korean Republic, respectively.

The stat

• 20 seconds

Adama Bojang’s strike after just 20 seconds was the quickest goal scored at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the fourth fastest in the tournament’s history.

Amadou Sagna’s effort for Senegal against Tahiti after just nine seconds at Poland 2019 remains the quickest.

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Nigeria U20 secured a 2-1 comeback win over Dominican Rep. to get their World Cup campaign to a bright start in Group D on Sunday.

An own goal from Guillermo De Peno and second-half Samson Lawal’s strike completed Nigeria’s comeback against FIFA U-20 World Cup newcomers Dominican Republic at Mendoza Stadium.

Nigeria 2-1 Dominican Republic

Goals: Azcona pen (23), De Peno OG (31), Lawal (71)

Nigeria came from behind to defeat Dominican Republic in their FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ opener at Mendoza Stadium.

The Dominican Republic, playing in their first-ever FIFA match at any level, took the lead after 23 minutes when Benjamin Fredrick was adjudged to have fouled Guillermo De Peno inside the area. Captain Edison Azcona took responsibility from the spot to fire home his nation’s maiden strike.

Nigeria levelled soon after, though, when goalkeeper Xavier Valdez failed to claim a long throw which De Peno inadvertently flicked into his own net. Valdez was left bloodied by the collision, but he recovered quickly to deny the dangerous Jude Sunday soon after with a fine diving save.

The Flying Eagles continued to push in the second half and completed the comeback with 20 minutes to go, as Samson Lawal pounced on a poor Israel Boatwright back-pass to slot beyond Valdez.

Nigeria and the Dominican Republic will return to U-20 World Cup action on Wednesday against Italy and Brazil, respectively.

The stat

5 Nigeria have now scored in five opening-day fixtures in a row at the U-20 World Cup since a 1-0 defeat to Venezuela at Egypt in 2009.

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