Japan U-17 women's national team coach, Sadayoshi Shirai, has explained that his side's inability to score early contributed to their 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in Saturday's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final in Morocco.

Shirai watched his team surrender the title after goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku secured a historic victory for Nigeria's Flamingos.

Japan's Fuki Ito scored in the 80th minute to reduce the deficit, but the Asian side could not find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Speaking after the match, Shirai said Japan might have had a better opportunity to win if they had converted their chances earlier in the encounter.

"I believe that if we had managed to score earlier, we might have had a better chance of winning the match," he said.

Nigeria took the lead in the 39th minute when Bashiru's effort from distance slipped through the hands of Japan goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki and into the net.

The Flamingos doubled their advantage two minutes after the restart, with Umejiaku racing onto a long pass from Esther Stephen before lifting the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

Japan mounted a late response when Fuki Ito volleyed home in the 80th minute following a corner, but Nigeria held on to claim their maiden title in the competition.

The victory made Nigeria the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, ending Japan's hopes of lifting the trophy.

Japan had reached the final after defeating North Korea in the semi-finals, while Nigeria secured their place in the decider with a victory over Brazil.