Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons kick off with impressive draw against Canada
In a promising start to their Women’s World Cup journey, Nigeria’s Super Falcons held Olympic champions Canada to a 0-0 draw in their Group B opener in Melbourne.
The Nigerian team had a stroke of luck as veteran Christine Sinclair missed a penalty for the North American side during the match on Friday.
The Super Falcons exhibited a strong performance throughout the game, creating enough scoring opportunities to secure a victory. They also showed determination despite being in the “Group of Death,” which includes co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
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Toward the end of the game, the team had to play with 10 players after Deborah Abiodun received a red card following a reckless tackle that was correctly upgraded by the Video Assistant Referee.
Although Canada dominated possession for the majority of the match, Nigeria showcased resilience in their defensive efforts. The turning point came just after halftime when Sinclair was fouled in the box by Francisca Ordega.
Initially, the Finnish referee dismissed the penalty claim, but after a VAR review, she reversed her decision. Sinclair, in her 324th international appearance and being a pivotal figure for the Canadian team, missed the chance to become the first person to score in six World Cups and add to her remarkable tally of 190 international goals.
Nigeria’s star player, Asisat Oshoala, caused some concern as she required on-field treatment throughout the game. Although she lasted until injury time before being substituted, she appeared to be playing below her full fitness level. Oshoala had an excellent opportunity to put Nigeria ahead in the first half but was denied by a block, despite the difficult angle.
The Super Falcons executed their game plan effectively, absorbing pressure from Canada and aiming to capitalise on counterattacks with their pace. Their strategy nearly paid off on multiple occasions.
However, credit must be given to Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who made several exceptional saves, including a crucial one against Evelyne Viens in the second half. The 22-year-old keeper displayed tremendous composure and deserves recognition as the player of the match.
The draw against Canada marks a solid start for Nigeria and Africa in the tournament. A victory against a tough opponent like Canada was vital, as progressing from the challenging group stage would have been extremely difficult if they had suffered a loss.
The Super Falcons’ next crucial match will be against Australia on Thursday.
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