FIFA U-20 Women’s W/Cup: Falconets set to rule the world

The final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
Canada 2014 comes up tonight at the Olympic
Stadium, Montreal, Canada. The match is a repeat
of the 2010 showpiece between the then hosts
Germany and Nigeria. That game went the way of
the European side, an outcome the in-form
Nigerians will be aiming to avenge to tonight.
This is the fourth time the ultra-consistent Germans
have reached the final of the competition and the
third in a row, though the Super Falconets can also
lay claim to being a powerhouse in this age group,
having checked into their second final in the last
three tournaments. Given those impressive records,
tonight’s showdown will reveal much about the
balance of power in the women’s youth game.
Nigeria’s 6-2 defeat of Korea DPR was the biggest
win ever seen in the semi-finals of the competition
and saw their attacking spearhead Asisat Oshoala
become only the third player to score four goals in a
match in the history of the competition. The rampant
Nigerians have made a habit of scoring early and
then overwhelming their rivals with their strength
and speed, a winning formula they will be out to
repeat against the Germans.
Maren Meinert’s side are a formidable unit,
however, and have barely put a foot wrong at
Canada 2014. Making the most of their opportunities
in front of goal, they saw off a strong France side in
the last four and now have their sights set on
repeating their 2010 final win on home soil, one that
saw the Germans lift the U-20 Women’s World Cup
trophy for a second time. To achieve that, they will
almost certainly need Meike Kamper to maintain her
fine form and blunt the threat posed by the lethal
Oshoala.
Meanwhile, Korea DPR will take on France in the
third place play-off.
Buoyed by their victorious campaigns at the FIFA
U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 and the
UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship
Wales 2013, France arrived in Canada full of
confidence. But despite turning on the style and
creating more chances than their opponents in most
of their games, Les Bleuettes became increasingly
goal-shy, paying the price for their erratic finishing
against the Germans.
Russia 2006 champions Korea DPR will be looking
to striker Ri Un-Sim to fire them to third place. Her
duel with France centre-half and captain Griedge
M’Bock Bathy, herself a potent goal threat, could
prove decisive.