Nigeria beats Korea DPR in pool play

A SPIRITED second-half display saw Nigeria get their FIFA U20 World Cup back on the rails as they romped to a 4-0 win over Korea DPR.

After weathering a tight first-half, An Ye Gun’s side went to pieces after the break as a quick-fire brace from Saviour Godwin undid all that good work. A fine final two goals secured all three points for Nigeria and put them back in the mix for qualification from Group E.

Manu Garba’s team almost put their disappointing second-half against Brazil behind them inside the opening two minutes. Captain Musa Muhammed looked to lead by example as the struck a thunderbolt of a shot onto the inside of the post from 25 yards, for which keeper Cha Jong Hun was only an airborne spectator.

The second half saw all that change, as the Korea DPR goalkeeper spoiled what had been an impressive display. His misjudgement to come challenge Saviour Godwin for a Bulbwa cross saw the Asian side lose their foothold.

It only took Godwin three minutes to double his tally, after a lucky ricochet allowed Awoniyi to skilfully progress up the field before laying on to the FC Sports forward who coolly slotted through legs of defender and goalkeeper.

The third was a peach. A corner found its way out to Kingsley Sokari and his laser-guided shot from the edge of the area screamed into the top left corner. The final one wasn’t bad either, following a slick team move. Awoniyi and substitute Success Isaac’s exchanged passes sliced through the Korea DPR defence before the latter slammed home from a tight angle to reinstate the African champions’ last 16 hopes