US goes into final at women’s U20 WCup

TOKYO - The Associated Press

Josephine Chukwunonye of Nigeria shows her dejection after the semi final match of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Japan 2012 against the USA. EPA photo

The United States beat Nigeria 2-0 yesterday to advance to the final of the women’s under-20 World Cup.

Morgan Brian scored in the first half and Kealia Ohai added another after the break as the U.S. advanced to the final for the third time, having won the tournament in 2002 and 2008.

“It was a difficult match physically,” U.S. coach Steve Swanson said. “Nigeria gave us all we could handle and a little more. Getting that first goal was key for us.”

The Americans will face either Japan or defending champion Germany in Saturday’s final. The second semifinal was set to be played later Tuesday. Brian opened the scoring with a header in the 22nd minute and Ohai doubled the lead in the 70th, taking a through ball from Samantha Mewis and beating Nigeria’s goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte with a right-foot shot from 12 meters (yards). Nigeria pressed forward after the second goal but the Americans denied them a chance to get back in the game.

“I thought our back four did a very good job of keeping possession and allowing us to get out of our end,” Swanson said.