Nigeria and Oklahoma State University, USA star, Courtney Dik,e latched onto the ball just outside the Korea Republic six-yard box, saw a gap, set her sights and sent a low shot inside the far post, putting her team ahead after only 18 seconds of play with some fans still yet to take their seats in the Moncton Stadium in Canada.
Eventually, the Coach Peter Dedevbo lads went away with a hard-earned 2-1 win.
The three points put the Super Falconets two clear at the top of Group C here at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014, with one game remaining.
“Wow! Was it really the fastest goal in the competition’s history? That’s crazy!” said the young striker, after being given the news by FIFA.com. “It all happened so fast, even for me to be honest,” Dike went on incredulously, a broad smile still lighting up her face.
“The ball came to me in the box and, well, they always say it’s good to test the opposing keeper early in a match, so I had a shot and in it went!” she continued. “It all happened so quickly, it hit a defender, I picked up the ball and scored, right? I honestly only remember seeing that I had space and went for a shot.”
Indeed, her second U-20 Women’s World Cup appearance and first as a starter could barely have begun better.
“This gives me loads of confidence,” said the forward, who plays for Oklahoma State University in the USA. “Now I’m just hoping to keep playing and keep improving alongside the rest of the team. I’m very happy to be here and I hope we can go a long way.”
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