Nigeria’s Falconets closed their preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a 1-1 draw against South Korea, a result that was useful more than it was sparkling.

Mary Mamudu scored again, finishing in the 29th minute at the Remes Sports Leisure and Spa Stadium to put Nigeria ahead. She had also scored the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over hosts Poland, so the defender has been the sharpest edge of the warm-up programme.

The Falconets reached half-time in front and had looked capable of adding to the lead. Korea came out with more purpose after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute. They scored it. From there the game flattened into a stalemate.

Coach Moses Aduku said the friendlies were done, there were no injury scares, and the team was ready for Spain on 7 September in Sosnowiec. He admitted Nigeria wasted one or two chances to win and paid Korea a respectful nod.

A win and a draw is a tidy enough send-off. It does not hide the usual Falconets questions: whether they can turn territorial spells into a second goal, and whether they can survive late set pieces against stronger sides. Group F also includes China and New Caledonia. Spain will be the first real measure of whether these two games were a platform or just a rehearsal.