The statistics are still highly impressive: just two defeats in 28 matches at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup not including penalty shoot-out losses. But there was shock and profound disappointment in the USA camp after they were knocked out of Germany 2010 by Nigeria in Sunday's quarter-final.
The ultimate manner of the defeat was surprising with two of their most reliable performers, sharpshooter Sydney Leroux and captain Christine Nairn missing with their attempts from 12 yards and consigning the US to a 4-2 defeat with Nigeria successful with all their four efforts.
But there was another dimension to the setback that was hard to take. The north American side were so superior in the first half of the Augsburg fixture it was almost inconceivable to think they could find a way to lose the game and demolish their dream of advancing to Sunday’s final and the anticipated showdown with Germany.
After Amber Brooks had steered them ahead in the ninth minute, USA continued to dominate and create openings which they failed to capitalise upon, foiled by a mixture of haphazard defending and solid goalkeeping from Alaba Jonathan. It didn’t look to be too crucial; so poor had the Falconets been in a first half in which they struggled to get out of their own half.
source:http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup
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