Nigeria dished out the first upset of the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, yesterday, turning back Korea DPR 3-2 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Nigeria coach Peter Dedevbo said a day earlier that his team would play without fear, and they did, even after finding themselves a goal down after they drew first blood.

But the Flamingoes never quit, and with some consistent pressure inside the last 15 minutes, ensured they got full points for their toil.

Ngozi Okobi started the scoring and ended it emphatically for Nigeria in the third and 79th minutes, respectively, while Francisca Ordega (77th minute) added the other. Kim Su Gyong (28th) and Kim Kum Jong (58th) found the net for Korea DPR.

Things started out all wrong for the 2008 winners when a defensive error allowed Okobi to beat the off-side trap and plant a left-footer past goalkeeper Choe Kyong Im for a 1-0 lead.

Nigeria kept up the pressure, but the North Koreans were also keen to open their account. They hit the cross bar and the post, while Nigeria were kept out by some resolute defending.

A goal eventually came. Su Gyong, guilty of an earlier miss, atoned for it with skilful control in the 18-metre box, before slamming the equaliser past Nigerian goalie Amina Abu.

Korea DPR pressed hard for the go-ahead goal, but it would not come before the break.

The North Koreans would take the lead for the first time in the 58th, Kim Nam Hui looping a cross just before the goal line into the path of Kum Jong, who headed powerfully into the net.

That only sparked a fightback from Nigeria. Ordega's free kick was well handled by Choe, while Yetunde Aluko headed over from point blank range. Both Ordega and 61st-minute substitute Winifred Eyebhoria missed chances to draw level.

But Ordega would make her next opportunity count, sending the crowd into a frenzy when she received a cheeky flick on from Eyebhoria and planted past the onrushing Choe.

Before Korea DPR could compose themselves, Nigeria struck again, this time Okobi re-establishing their lead with a drive into the net.

Nigeria could have make it 4-2, but Choe was equal to an audacious long distance chip from Aluko.

Korea DPR had a few attempts in the dying minutes, but the Nigerian defence stood firm to dent the defending champions' chances of progressing to the next stage.

–Kern De Freitas