Head Coach of the Under-20 Women’s National Team, Peter Dedevbo, on Monday, expressed optimism that the team would bounce back in the second match at the ongoing U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
This is contained in a statement from the Acting Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire.
Olajire quoted Dedevbo as saying the walloping 6-0 by Japan in Nigeria’s first match at the ongoing World Cup on Sunday was nothing to worry about.
Dedevbo, who acknowledged the superiority of the Japanese side, insisted that Sunday’s result would not mark the end of the road for Nigeria in the tournament.
He expressed optimism that the girls would bounce back to pick maximum points from the remaining two matches in the group stage, and charged the players to put behind them the horror of the first game and focus on the Canada and Spain challenge.
“We are down but not out, and this is the time for us to fight till the end of the competition. It would be fool–hardy for us to start feeling sorry for ourselves because it will affect our focus for the remaining games in the tournament.
“I must acknowledge the fact that the Japanese side was good, even though I didn’t envisage the goal margin.
“The outcome means that we will return to the trenches and re-strategize,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Japan powered to victory through strikes from Mami Ueno and Yuka Momiki, who netted a hat-trick and brace respectively.
The duo’s attacking force resulted in an own goal by Nigerian defender Mary Ologbosere.
Nigeria will face Canada in second Group B match on Wednesday at the Bava Park Stadium in Port Moresby.
Both countries are at the bottom of the table with no point. (NAN)