The Junior Football Ferns' FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stage today as Nigeria claimed a 4-1 win in their last eight clash in Moncton.
The pace and power of the Group C winners proved too much for the New Zealand side asthe African nation made a lightning fast start, taking the lead inside the first 33 seconds as Asisat Oshoala headed home at the back post.
Nigeria were 2-0 up 12 minutes later when, with centre back Meikayla Moore off the field receiving treatment for an injury, Oshoala broke in behind the Junior Football Ferns back line to slip the ball home beyond goalkeeper Lily Alfeld.
From that point Nigeria effectively closed out the match, the speed and strength of the African side leaving the Junior Football Ferns little opportunity to establish a regular attacking threat despite an improved second half performance.
The second period remained scoreless until Nigerian substitute Uchechi Sunday slammed the ball into the roof of the net after a corner with six minutes to go, just seconds after coming off the bench.
The New Zealand side were rewarded for their hard work as Emma Rolston headed in a cross from substitute Jasmine Pereira in the 89th minute but there was still time for Sunday to grab her second of the day 60 seconds later to complete the scoring.
On Thursday, the Junior Football Ferns became the first New Zealand women's side to reach the second phase of a FIFA World Cup event after their 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
The Football Ferns made the quarter-final stage of the 2012 London Olympics.
