21st August, 2014
Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s national team, Peter Dedevbo has singled out Asisat Oshoala as the star difference for the Falconets against North Korea in their match on Wednesday.
Nigeria defeated Korea DPR 6-2 in the first semi-final of the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to reach their second ever final in the history of the competition at the Moncton Stadium in Canada.
Four goals from Oshoala and a goal each from Courtney Dike and Uchechi Sunday confirmed the Africans’ superiority over their Asian opponents in the semi-final game despite the consolation goals through R. Un Sim and J Son Yon.
Dedevbo said his ladies took lift from their group stage 2-1 win over the South Koreans against their Asian rivals.
The Delta Queens of Asaba coach has set sight on winning the trophy, just as he insists his girls are not scared of facing any team in the final of the age-grade tournament.
“A goal scored early against any team gives our team confidence and it breaks the opponents. It was very important especially against a good team like North Korea,” Dedevbo told FIFA.com.
“We had played against Korea Republic, and I was sure that Korea DPR were not better than them. So, I was sure that we would win. Now we are in the final. Whoever our opponent will be, we are not afraid of them,” he continued.
“I had said to my girls before the tournament that the World Cup really started at the quarter-finals. Since then, my team improved.
“If you want to accomplish great things, it is important to have intelligence in your team and a player who can make the difference like Asisat (Oshoala) did today,” he concluded.
Nigeria will now face Germany in the finals of the championship on Sunday at Montreal.