Nigeria and Japan will advance to the semifinals at the FIFA U20 World Cup after defeating their opponents on Thursday. Nigeria was in a well fought battle by Mexico, meanwhile Japan routed the Korean Republic 3-1.
Nigeria and Mexico were scoreless despite multiple attacks at the net by Nigeria early on in the match.
Nigeria stunned El Tri in the 109th minute mark of extended time when Desire Oparanozie and Ugo Njoku hooked up for the goal. Njoku kicked a ball over the middle of the field, just outside of the penalty circle when Oparanozie leaped for the header. Mexico's goalkeeper, Cecilia Santiago, could not put her hands on the ball as she tried saving the match for El Tri.
With the victory, Nigeria now awaits an opponent between Korea DPR and the USA.
In the other match later that evening, Japan and Korea met adding another chapter to their heated rivalry.
The Japanese did not waste any time getting scoring started. At the 8 minute mark, Hanae Shibata scored the first goal of the match to give her team the 1-0 lead. Korea answered with a 15 minute goal from Jeoun Eunha. Almost immediately, Shibata struck again at the 19 minute mark, this time with a killer left leg as she was crossing the middle that bounced off the left goal post and went into the net.
Finally, for some insurance, the Japanese received a goal from Yoko Tanaka in minute 37 to build a comfortable lead they would never release despite Korea's attempts.
Japan will now await the victor between Germany and Norway.
