A spirited second-half display saw Nigeria get their FIFA U-20 World Cup back on the rails as the 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 he struck a thunderbolt of a shot off the inside of the post from 25 yards, for which keeper Cha Jong Hun was only an airborne spectator.
From there, though, Korea DPR improved for a spell. They contained the threat of Nigeria and had occasional forays forward, but were ultimately blunt in attack. The Flying Eagles looked more menacing as the half wore on.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Bernand Bulbwa threatened, before a Muhammed free-kick and Awoniyi follow-up brought out a superb double save from Jong Hun in a half in which he was busy, but rarely tested to his limits.
The second half saw all that change, as the Korea DPR goalkeeper spoiled what had been an impressive display. His misjudgement to come and challenge Saviour Godwin for a Bulbwa cross saw the Asian side lose their foothold, as Godwin scored.
It only took the same player just three minutes to double his tally, after a lucky ricochet allowed Awoniyi to skilfully progress up the field before playing in 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 revive the African champions’ last 16 hopes.
