By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Japan forward Asaho Hidaka has said they must be at their best to beat Nigeria, Prompt News reports.
The Asians are targeting a place in the quarter-finals at the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The 2018 champions will take on the Falconets in a second round game in Bogota on Friday.
The encounter will kick-off at 8pm local time 2am Nigeria time (Friday morning).
“So far, we’ve been focusing on winning each match one by one, and for the next match, without thinking too far ahead, our whole team is determined to fight with everything we’ve got in the match against Nigeria and absolutely win to advance,” Hidaka said in a quote posted on Japan women’s national football team’s X page
“Everyone on the team shares that strong mindset, unwavering in the desire to win, and we are confident in our strengths and ready to give it our all.
“This will be our second match against an African team in this tournament. Like with Ghana, Nigeria is also physically strong and fast. Their legs appear in unexpected places, and they have a surprising ability to cover quickly when we break through their defence.
“So, I think we need to carefully observe their movements early in the game and make sure we don’t get drawn into playing at their pace, but instead play our own style of soccer.
“In this match, I want to be the one to score the first goal and give the team momentum, and I aim to work hard in both offence and defence to help the team.”
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