Spain glides into World Under 20 Female Cup Final beat Netherlands 2-1
Spanish U20 girls early Monday morning, Nigerian time, had a sweet revenge on their Japanese counterparts reversing the 2018 defeat when they shocked the Asian champions 3-1 just the way they were beaten in the last edition to lift the World Cup in Costa Rica.
Super scorer Inma Gabarro of Spain got away with the Golden Shoe for highest scorer with 8 goals as she opened scoring for the night at the 12th minute.
Spain settled the defeat of Japan in the first half as Parallueto Ayingono scored 22nd minute and tucked in a penalty at 27th minute. Japan got their consolation goal through Amano in the 47th minute.
Ref Emikar Calderaz of Venezuela officiated the match attended by sizable 29,891 fans and closed the scoreboard with 86 goals (2.69 goals per match).
The night favoured Japan statistically but the glory went to Spain for Japan had 58% to 42% ball possession; got 546 to 409 passes indicating they dominated the match; also had 6 to 2 corner kicks.
Current performance as analysed in my match preview showed Spain would lift the cup and they did.
I reported that Spain had better corner kicks of 30-21 and ball possession of 63 to 57 which indicates Spain will put Japan under intense pressure which they did and got the results in the first half
I also reported that Japan having a far higher number of passes of 2612 to 2252 means they will become what in Nigeria is called ‘shine shine bobo’ playing the match like Shooting Stars Club of Nigeria but Spain will win like Rangers of Enugu and we got exactly that
In the last edition, Japan won the trophy 3-1.
New champions, Spain had beaten Mexico 1-0 in the quarter final and Netherlands 2-1 in the semifinals.
Japan got a lucky win over France in the quarter final via penalty shootout 5-3 after 3-3 at full time and edged out the Samba girls of Brazil who eventually won the Bronze 2-1 in the semifinals
Eniola Olatunji.
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