The Falconets have been sent packing from the Costa Rica 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
The Nigerian girls were beaten 2-0 by an efficient Netherlands side in the early hours of today in Alajuela.
Zera Hilswit and Ziva Henry profited from defensive errors to score in the first half and take The Netherlands to their first-ever semi-final of the tournament.
The Falconets, who won all their group games, started brightly and even had an early penalty appeal when Flourish Sabastine went down in the Dutch box.
It was the European side who struck first though, Hilswit scoring after a poor clearance by Nigeria captain Tosin Demehin in the 12th minute.
The Falconets piled forward in search of the equaliser and created situations that should have led to goals if they had more composure.
Sabastine forced a fine save from the Dutch goalkeeper in the 16 minute, while Deborah Abiodun saw a long-range shot hit the crossbar moments before The Netherlands got their second goal.
The usually solid Demehin was again culpable as her half-hearted clearance from a low cross fell to Henry whose low show squirmed through goalkeeper Monle Oyono’s body into the net in the 33rd minute.
Attempts to get back into the contest proved futile as the Dutch held firmly to their lead.
The Falconets thought they had a chance for a consolation goal in injury time but the penalty initially awarded was overturned after a Video Assistant Referee review.
While The Netherlands head to their first-ever semi-final where they will face Spain, the Falconets will return to Nigeria after failing to reach their fourth semi-final.
