China PR striker Jiaxin Huang says her side face a demanding challenge when they meet Nigeria’s Falconets in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Thursday.
Huang made the perfect start to the tournament by scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 Group F victory over New Caledonia. The forward struck three times in a 12-minute spell, producing a standout display that earned her the Visa Player of the Match award.
Her performance also made her the first player to score a hat-trick in this edition of the competition and moved her to the top of the tournament’s goalscoring standings.
Despite the emphatic opening win, Huang has already turned her attention to China PR’s next fixture against Nigeria, who are regarded as one of Africa’s leading football nations. The Falconets will be looking to respond after losing 2-0 to Spain in their opening group match.
“I am very excited to help the team win the match. It is an honour to be top of the goalscoring standings, and I am very happy to be the first player to score a hat-trick in this competition.
“Of course [I would like to win the Golden Boot award]. We now need to focus on our next match against Nigeria, which will be a tough game.”
The result against New Caledonia gave China PR an ideal opening to their Group F campaign, while Huang’s three goals immediately placed her among the leading individual performers at the tournament.
However, the match against Nigeria is expected to provide a significantly stronger test. Huang described the meeting with the Falconets as a tough game as China PR attempt to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the group.
Nigeria will also enter the fixture seeking improvement after their defeat by Spain. The Falconets’ result leaves them needing a positive response against China PR as the group-stage competition continues.
China PR are aiming to progress further than they have in previous appearances at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. They finished as runners-up in 2004 and again in 2006, but have yet to claim the title.
Huang’s hat-trick has given the team an early boost, while her comments underline the importance China PR place on Thursday’s contest. The striker is also targeting the Golden Boot, although she stressed that the immediate priority is helping her team overcome Nigeria and continue their campaign in Poland.