Falconets tasked to upstage hosts Japan
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Nigeria’s Falconets NFF president Aminu Maigari has urged the Falconets to beat hosts Japan Saturday morning and win third place at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Maigari reasoned that Japan being the home side would enjoy the support of the crowd, but nevertheless he urged Falconets not to be intimidated.Speaking over the phone from Nigeria, Maigari praised the girls for making a statement by their splendid run in the competition.
“Sixteen teams started this competition and only four are left of which you are part of. Nobody needs to be told that it is not a child’s play to get this far and l must let you know that l am extremely proud of all of you,” he said.
“Now that you are playing for bronze, I want to say that you do not have to be afraid of your opponents because they are the host team. You can do it but to make it happen, you need to remain focused and play as a team.”
Saturday’s showdown between Japan and Nigeria will be the third of such for both sides with the African representatives having a slightly better record. Nigeria won 2-1 in the first round in 2010 after their first meeting had ended 1-1 in 2002.
Meanwhile, FIFA have appointed USA’s Domka Magaret as the centre referee for this match, which kicks off 7.30 am on Saturday.
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Falconets tasked to upstage hosts Japan
Category: Sports Written by - Hits: 480
Nigeria’s Falconets NFF president Aminu Maigari has urged the Falconets to beat hosts Japan Saturday morning and win third place at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Maigari reasoned that Japan being the home side would enjoy the support of the crowd, but nevertheless he urged Falconets not to be intimidated.Speaking over the phone from Nigeria, Maigari praised the girls for making a statement by their splendid run in the competition.
“Sixteen teams started this competition and only four are left of which you are part of. Nobody needs to be told that it is not a child’s play to get this far and l must let you know that l am extremely proud of all of you,” he said.
“Now that you are playing for bronze, I want to say that you do not have to be afraid of your opponents because they are the host team. You can do it but to make it happen, you need to remain focused and play as a team.”
Saturday’s showdown between Japan and Nigeria will be the third of such for both sides with the African representatives having a slightly better record. Nigeria won 2-1 in the first round in 2010 after their first meeting had ended 1-1 in 2002.
Meanwhile, FIFA have appointed USA’s Domka Magaret as the centre referee for this match, which kicks off 7.30 am on Saturday.