New Zealand coach Alana Gunn has reacted to her team’s loss to Nigeria in their opening fixture at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Young Football Ferns were thrashed 4-1 by Bankole Olowookere’s side on Wednesday night.
The Oceania champions conceded three goals in the first 28 minutes of the game.
Shakirat Moshood, Khadijat Adegoke and Faridat Abdulwahab were all on target for Nigeria during that period.
Read Also:U-17 WWC: Olowookere Savours Flamingos’ Victory Over New Zealand
Talented playmaker Taiwo Afolabi scored Nigeria’s fourth goal on 55 minutes.
Hannah Saxon scored New Zealand’s only goal of the game on the hour mark.
“A goal is massive for us. It’s an awesome achievement from the team and especially for Hannah, she’ll remember that type of moment forever,” Gunn was quoted by FIFA.com after the game.
New Zealand will take on hosts Dominican Republic in their next game.
By Adeboye Amosu
4 Comments
Celebrating one goal in defeat? Reminds me of a girl in a uni class several years ago. After answering ten questions in a quiz, she jumped up jubilantly shouting: “I am very sure the answer to no. 5 was a B. I sure got that one right!”
Olowokere should be conservative in this group stage by not throwing out all his tactics at this stage.
Congratulations to the coach and the girls for a job well done.
I want to advise coach Olowookere to be discreet in exposing all his tactics at this group stage cos other coaches are monitoring your team, you must have your element of surprise if you must get to final.
Good win great team work and forward attacking plays like the Japanese and Koreas always does with flair and speed. Like Cyril said let the coach be smart not to throw everything most especially when on roller coaster because the big teams only watches you to pick out spots they’ll use against you at KO. Congratulations to the team these NZ team might be underrated but they have a big heart so this win must not be taken for granted.