SPAIN WIN FIFA U20 WOMEN WORLD CUP AS TXELL CLAIMS GOLDEN GLOVE

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup defending champions Japan were beaten 3-1 by Spain in the final played at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose, Monday morning.

The European soccer giant Spain had shown class throughout the competition with a spectacular record of unbeaten in the tournament. Spain who has now won their first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup! In the semi- final defeated fellow European compatriot Netherland 2-1, while Japan defeated Brazil in the other semi-final.

It will be recalled that the Orange Ladies had sent Nigeria’s Super Falconets back home winning their quarter–final battle 2-0 en-route to the final.

In categories of awards Spain’s attacking midfielder Inma Gabarro was top scorer with 7 goals to claim the Golden Shoe Award while Japan’s Maika Hamano scored 4 goals to win the Silver Shoe Award. Nigeria’s Esther Onyenezide was joint-third highest goal scorer with 3 goals, with Japan’s Yuzuki Yamamoto winning the Bronze Shoe,

In the Best Players categories the Golden Ball went to Japan’s Maika Hamano, the Silver Ball was won by Spain’s 19 year-old Inma Gabarro, who plies her trade at Spaniard club Sevilla and Bronze Ball was claimed by Brazil’s Tarciana Lima.

The Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper was won by Txell Font of Spain and Japan took home the Fair Play U-20 Women’s Team Award.

It will be recalled that Nigerian youngster Esther Onyenezide was the second top scorer after the group stage and perceived among the best players before Nigeria was defeated in the quarter –final by the Netherland.