The final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 is a repeat of the 2010 show-piece between the then hosts Germany and Nigeria. That game went the way of the European side, an outcome the in-form Africans will be aiming to avenge this weekend.
Germany, Nigeria face moment of truth
This is the fourth time the ultra-consistent Germans have reached the final of the competition and the third in a row, though the Super Falconets can also lay claim to being a powerhouse in this age group, having checked into their second final in the last three tournaments. Given those impressive records, Sunday’s showdown will reveal much about the balance of power in the women’s youth game.
In the play-off for third place, meanwhile, France face 2006 winners Korea DPR. The North Koreans knocked out reigning champions USA in the quarter-finals only to slump to a heavy defeat at the hands of the Nigerians, while the French, who have found goals harder and harder to come by, were undone by some wayward finishing in their semi-final against Germany.
Nigeria’s 6-2 defeat of Korea DPR was the biggest win ever seen in the semi-finals of the competition and saw their attacking spearhead Asisat Oshoala become only the third player to score four goals in a match in the history of the competition. The rampant Nigerians have made a habit of scoring early and then overwhelming their rivals with their strength and speed, a winning formula they will be out to repeat against the Germans.
Maren Meinert’s side are a formidable unit, however, and have barely put a foot wrong at Canada 2014. Making the most of their opportunities in front of goal, they saw off a strong France side in the last four and now have their sights set on repeating their 2010 final win on home soil, one that saw the Germans lift the U-20 Women’s World Cup trophy for a second time. To achieve that, they will almost certainly need Meike Kamper to maintain her fine form and blunt the threat posed by the lethal Oshoala.
FIFA.com
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