BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Nigeria captain and goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie put up an outstanding performance to help Nigeria secure a valuable goalless draw against Olympic champions Canada in their Women’s World Cup opener inside the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium that was bathed in early afternoon sunshine.
In a result that has left qualification from their Group B competition wide open, Nnadozie saved a penalty in the 50th minute, denying Canadian Skipper Christine Sinclair from the spot with a leap low to her left and a quick recovery to further push the ball away to safety.
Interestingly, both Nigeria and Canada had put behind them pay disputes in their camps to thrill the spectators but the biggest loser in the Friday morning early match was Canada’s Sinclair who missed the opportunity to become the tournament’s oldest goal scorer and first player to score in six World Cups.
The two countries deservedly shared the spoils in a tight contest where both captains were involved in the game’s pivotal moment. Coming off a tight first half in which the Canadians enjoyed greater possession of the ball, the penalty loss shortly after the break saw the North Americans being pushed back by the Super Falcons who found their rhythm with corner kicks that failed to produce results.
The match had Super Falcons’ Ifeoma Onumonu’s effort parried wide by Kailen Sheridan midway through the first half before a vital intervention from Vanessa Gilles kept Asisat Oshoala’s goal-bound effort out after a missed clearance from Sheridan.
Both nations went in search of a winner with Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie having a shot well blocked with a quarter of an hour remaining before Canada substitutes Evelyne Viens and then Cloe Lacasse also had late efforts cleared by a determined Nigerian defence.
Unfortunately, Nigeria will be without combative midfielder, Deborah Abiodun for their next outing after her earlier yellow card was upgraded to red following a VAR review late in second-half stoppage time and the Super Falcons earned their first scoreless draw in 27 Women’s World Cup matches.
For her heroics, VISA Player of the Match was awarded to Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria. And for the records, four of the last six penalties awarded at the FIFA Women’s World Cup have been missed, with Sinclair’s effort the latest on that list. – With Agency reports
