No darts for Falconets
by Humphrey Njoku 04 September 2012, 21:21
Former Super Falcons' coach, Joseph Ladipo, also known as Jossy Lad, has spared Falconets of any knock following their 0-2 loss to the USA in Tuesday's semifinal at the Fifa Under20 Women's World Cup in Japan.
A goal in each half from Morgan Brian and Kealia Ohai nailed Falconets' ambition of winning a first world title.
Two years ago, it was the Nigerians that stopped the Americans in the quarterfinal on penalties.
Lad said the USA were clearly the better side and deserved to win.
"I give kudos to the Nigerian side though we didn't meet the mark set two years ago in Germany.
"I'm not disappointed though not happy because I tipped them not only to beat the Americans but to win the title.
"The USA team are an improved side compared with the 2010 squad, they're clearly the better of both sides and deserved to win.
"But we don't need to knock the players, they did their best just that it wasn't good enough.
"We must encourage them by starting off preparations for the next edition right now.
"The competition is two years interval so we need two years preparation not to wait till the eleventh hour before assembling players and coaches.
"If we must make impact in the next edition adequate preparations must start off immediately," the former 3SC coach told supersport.com.
Lad charged Falconets to make-up the title loss with the losers' medal.
"Of course, they must win the losers' game as compensation for the title, they can't afford to drop below the third place.
"Though it's a tough one either against Germany or Japan but not an insurmountable task," he said.
