Courtney Dike's brace inspires Falconets 4-3 comeback win

GOAL.COM

Peter Dedevbo’s girls incredibly recovered from three goals down to beat a Moncton-based age-grade male team to confirm their readiness for the World Cup in Canada

US-based Courtney Dike grabbed a brace in the Falconets' 4-3 comeback victory over Codiac AAA U16 boys in a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup preparatory friendly match at the Ricky Stone pitch, Moncton on Thursday.

A brace from Dike and a goal each from Halima Ayinde and Asisat Oshoala ensured the Falconets came out triumphant in their first warm-up match since arriving Canada on Sunday.

The Falconets began the encounter on the back foot as goals from Heritier Massimengo, Jonathan Kalulumia and Mariam Ibrahim’s own goal provided the hosts with a 3-0 lead in the first half.

Miraculously, the African ladies levelled up in the second half thanks to three successive penalties converted by the Falconets’ trio of Oshoala, Halima and Dike.

Luckily, the winning goal came through Dike at the final moments of the encounter to ensure 4-3 victory over the U16 male team.

Falconets’ head coach Peter Dedevbo singled out Oklahoma State University attacker Courtney for praises, stressing that his girls are ready for the tournament.

“It [was] a good match for the girls. It shows a sign of players that are ready for the world. The player from USA performed beyond my expectations.

“I liked the game as the young boys put the girls on their toes,” the team’s media officer Elizabeth Kar quoted the coach as saying.

Dedevbo further disclosed that the team will face an unnamed U16 boys before the competition starts.

The Falconets will open their campaign against Mexico on Wednesday August 6.