The coach of Korea DPR’s female cadet squad, Ji Yun-nam has inferred that his team lost 3-1 to Nigeria’s Flamingos in Friday’s crucial last group match because the opponents played with ‘African strength.’
Sports247 reports that Yun-nam also conceded that his players were overwhelmed by sheer determination and extra zeal for victory that a ‘strong Nigerian side’ put up during the game.
At the end of the day, Nigeria pulled off a sensational victory against the two-time back-to-back holders of the Cadet Mundial and qualified for the knockout stages as second placed in Group B, where all top three pooled six points apiece.
The Flamingos opened scoring through Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who collected a ball down the left and finished with her right foot, while the second came when Oluebube Umejiaku finished past goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong just before half time.
The Flamingos did well to withstand all pressure in the second half and got a third goal from player of the match, Kanyinsola Yusuf’s direct free-kick and, while the reigning champions got one through a late Yu Jong-hyang penalty, the day belonged to Nigeria.
Speaking afterwards, Korea’s coach said the biggest lesson he learnt from Friday’s game was that they have to prepare extra hard when playing against an African team, considering that the biggest edge that the Flamingos had in the game was that the Nigerian players were stronger.
“Playing against a strong team like Nigeria made me realise how challenging it is to compete at the world level. Facing an African team also showed me that we need to prepare better in terms of strength. We will prepare well for the Round of 16 and aim to achieve a better result,” Ji Yun-nam submitted.
