The Falconets won their second group game against South Korea in almost similar fashion with the first – a late goal after soaking pressure
For large spells against South Korea, Nigeria dominated play but the Asians forged the better chances in the game.
Goalkeeper Omini Oyono made a string of excellent saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0 until Esther Onyenezide struck with venom in the 81st minute to give Nigeria the lead and ultimately, the match winner.
While the Super Falcons dominated in the midfield but lacked the final ball in attacking areas, the defensive pairing of Oluwatosin Demehin and Omowunmi Oshobukola stood solid in the centre half positions, while Jumoke Alani and Rofiat Imuran added balance in the full-back positions.
The Falconets defense marshalled by Demehin stood solid and repelled many of the Koreans attacking forays before Onyenezide’s suckerpunch.
Coach of the side, Chris Danjuma explained why the team appeared to sit deep in their games, revealing it’s to block some leakages and set a trap for the opposition.
What did Chris Danjuma say about Falconets’ tactics?
Danjuma told NFF TV after the game that his tactics were premised on his team’s strengths, the importance of the game and quality of the opposition.
“Football is about building your own tactics as it suits you. Playing against a Korean team, if they find space, they run and there are certain areas of the pitch they use to make incursion into your box so all we need to do is get persons to take the responsibility of making sure they don’t come through that area,”
On why the team employs a deep defensive structure, Danjuma said;
“You know it’s easy to say ‘why don’t they go forward?’ Holistically, you might say the whole team can go forward but I spot a weak link and I want to make sure we don’t go forward, lose the ball and it becomes a counter against us and when we lose, so better we play deep… I mean, it wasn’t a deep thing per se, maybe always see them playing deep, it was to get the ball in those areas, see how the goal comes and attack the Koreans. It’s a trap we’re setting. Get the ball, we come, consider the last one Chiamaka got a foul, it’s a trap.”
