Coach of the Nigeria’s youth female national team, Falconets, Godwin Izilien has vowed that the team will bounce back from its loss to Germany in the opening match of the FIFA U–20 Women’s World Cup, by defeating Haiti team tomorrow, Thursday.
Izilien, who has in the past handled Nigeria’s female senior team, Super Falcons and under-17 boys squad, Golden Eaglets, said that what he saw from Coach Chris Danjuma’s side against Germany gave him confidence that Falconets will bounce back to winning ways.
Having reached the final in 2010 and 2014, Izilien charged the team to rise from Monday’s defeat by Germany and win their remaining group games against Haiti and China.
He posited that the Falconets would be out of contention for the second round if they failed to beat Haiti.
Izilien also called on the team’s technical crew to work on the tactically organisation and shooting ability of the Falconets to ensure they utilise all chances they create in games.
He noted that the Falconets gave Germany a good fight, but lost focus in the middle of the second half, which gave their opponents advantage to slot in a goal.
Izilien therefore tasked the girls to go all out for victory against Haiti, saying that picking the vital three points in the game would put the girls in high spirit to win the final group game against China.
“The Falconets could not deliver against Germany because the team’s main striker did not get enough support up front.
“The German girls were not spectacular in the game, but they capitalized on a minute’s loss of focus in the second half to score.
“The girls need more encouragement to go far in the championship. I think the coaches would have seen the mistakes in the team and corrected them before their next game against Haiti.
“They need to be more resilient and tactically disciplined in all departments of the game to earn the vital three points in the encounter.” [myad]
