Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team Flamingos on Tuesday began their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India on a losing note with a 2-1 defeat in Goa against Germany in the second Group B game of the tournament, Abbeylivenetwork.com reports.
Dah Zossu Alvine was brought down as Miracle Usani put the Flamingos in front from the resulting free kick in the 30th minute.
The Flamingos made two changes at the halftime break and while settling into their positions Germany found the equalizer from the corner kick through Hamburg forward Svea Stold.
In the 61st minute, Mara Alber sneaked past a porous Nigerian defence to hit a low shot to the bottom left corner after poor communication from the central defensive part of the Africans.
Adeshina’s shot from 25 yards in the 66th minute went straight to the waiting hands of the German keeper.
The Flamingos had a chance to restore parity in the 90th minute through an indirect freekick but the ball was smothered by Eve Boettcher.
Germany attacked the Nigerian defence relentlessly towards the end of the game in search of a third goal but the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Europeans.
Elsewhere, in Group B’s other game, Chile defeated New Zealand 3-1.
In Group A hosts India were hammered 8-0 by the United States of America while Africa’s other representative Morocco lost 1-0 to Brazil.
This is the second time that India hosts a FIFA tournament after the men’s 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Also it is the first time that India hosts a FIFA women’s football tournament.
