China's U-20 Women's World Cup run ends in tears

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It started so encouragingly for China, but in the end the country's Under-20 Women's World Cup campaign in France ended in tears of agony.

The Steel Roses were cruelly eliminated from the tournament after conceding a last-minute equalizer in their dramatic 1-1 draw with Nigeria on Monday night.

Peter Bonde's side were in complete command, as they had been in their 2-1 defeat of Haiti a week ago, and had plenty of chances against the Nigerians, but were again missing the finishing touch.

China's midfielder Linyan Zhang (3rdR) celebrates with teammates after opened the scoring. /VCG Photo

Midfielder Shen Mengyu first saw a long-range effort hit the crossbar with a quarter of an hour on the clock. A few minutes later, unmarked captain Wang Linlin headed the ball towards the far post, but it went agonizingly wide.

Zhang Linyan seemed to have rescued the three points for the young Steel Roses with a powerful low drive that went in off the post in the 41 minute.

But Nigeria captain Rashdeedat Ajibade silenced the crowd with his stoppage-time goal to punish lackluster China.

Nigerian players celebrate after booking their place in the quarter-finals of the Under-20 Women's World Cup in France. /VCG Photo

The full time whistle sparked wild celebrations from the Falconets, who ousted China on goal difference, and will now play Spain in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

After sealing progress at the death, the Nigeria team will pocket a cash gift of four million naira (approximately 11,000 US dollars) as promised by the nation’s sports minister Solomon Dalung and House of Representative member Ayo Omidira.

China's defender Chen Qiaozhu (L) cries after the Steel Roses were eliminated on goal difference by Nigeria. /VCG Photo

China, meanwhile, will reflect ruefully on yet another missed opportunity.