Falconets Aim For Victory, Battle Italy Today

A victory against the U-20 Women National Team of Italy will earn Nigeria the maximum three points and the top spot of group B at the on-going FIFA U-20 Women National Team in Japan.

Today (August 26) at the Univer Stadium in Kobe, Falconets of Nigeria battle Italy in one of the last group matches that will determine the teams to move into the quarter final.

Out of two matches played, Nigeria has four points and are closely followed by Korea Republic with three points with Brazil and Italy having two points and a point respectively.

 Interestingly, history is repeating itself today as both teams were at the 2004 edition of the age grade competition in Thailand, were drawn in group B and played the last match which ended 1-1.

 This time around the girls are looking forward in shattering the history books by going for victory. "We know what is at stake and we are not ready to bungle it.

It is a win and nothing else so that others can know that we are in Japan for the trophy," Team Captain, Gloria Ofoegbu said. Equally speaking, Deputy Captain, Ngozi Okobi said, "The team spirit has been reinvigorated after the 1-1 draw with Brazil.

The team will be in all green. The girls have been grilled on how to convert set-pieces in training since arriving in Kobe from Saitama on Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile Federation of International Football (FIFA) have appointed Qin Liang of China to take charge of the encounter which comes up 8.20am in Nigeria and 4.20pm in Japan. Born, on March 29, 1979, Liang who would be making her debut at the World Cup was at the centre when Norway defeated Canada 2-1 last Monday in Kobe.