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Friday, 11th September 2026

FALCONETS HOLD CHINA TO GOALLESS DRAW, KEEP U-20 WORLD CUP HOPES ALIVE

Nigeria’s Falconets kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup alive after playing out a goalless draw against China PR on Thursday in Poland.

The Group F encounter at the Arena Sosnowiec ended China PR 0–0 Nigeria, giving the Falconets their first point of the tournament after their opening 2–0 defeat to Spain.

FALCONETS SHOW IMPROVED DEFENSIVE DISPLAY

Coach Moses Aduku’s side entered the match under serious pressure after losing to Spain and knowing that another defeat could have severely damaged their qualification hopes.

Nigeria produced a much-improved defensive performance and managed to keep a clean sheet against a Chinese side that had opened its campaign with a convincing 5–0 victory over New Caledonia.

China created dangerous opportunities and were twice denied by the crossbar, but the Falconets remained disciplined enough to prevent their opponents from finding the breakthrough.

NIGERIA STRUGGLE TO FIND THE WINNER

The Falconets also had opportunities of their own but could not provide the finishing touch needed to secure all three points.

The 0–0 result means Nigeria now have one point from two matches, while China move to four points.

Spain, meanwhile, have already secured their place in the Round of 16 after winning their first two matches, including a huge 11–0 victory over New Caledonia.

FINAL GROUP GAME BECOMES MUST-WIN

Nigeria’s qualification hopes will now go down to the final Group F match against New Caledonia on Sunday, September 13.

The Falconets need a strong result and will also have to depend on the outcome of the other Group F fixture between China and Spain.

The team will therefore enter Sunday’s decisive encounter knowing that there is no room for complacency.

After a disappointing opening against Spain, the goalless draw with China gives Nigeria renewed hope — but the Falconets must now turn that hope into victory against New Caledonia.

By OLAWALE HAMZAT TOP STRIKER

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