Nigeria and Canada failed to decide between themselves (0-0) on Friday in Melbourne. For their entry into the competition, the Super Falcons and the Canucks each score one point in Group B, after a meeting marked by numerous technical inaccuracies.
Published on: 07/21/2023 – 06:30
5 mn
This match between Nigeria and Canada was announced as the first poster of this Women’s World Cup 2023. It finally gave birth to a draw (0-0), Friday July 21, at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Under the sun, the best African selection – 11 times continental champion -, in green, faces in this second match of the group B statement to the Canadian Olympic champions, in red.
During these first minutes, the control of the ball is rather Canadian but the Nigerians are well in place, positioned in 4-2-3-1. The Canucks spin the ball with side passes but fail to find the fault for the moment … Until this first opportunity from Sinclair (9th). The player manages to be found in the middle and tries a curling shot at the entrance to the Nigerian area, but the ball goes just above Nnadozie’s frame.
The Super Falcons suffered the domination of the opposing team at the start of the match: Canada had nearly 70% possession of the ball in the first quarter of an hour. And the Canucks do not release the pressure, like this corner obtained after a good movement on the left side finally cleared with the fist by Nnadozie (15th). The North American players also bring danger on a free kick but the Nigerian goalkeeper still imposes herself in the air (19th).
The Nigerians had to wait more than twenty minutes to approach the opposing area, and created the first chance on target of the game with a low curling shot deflected by Sheridan for a corner (22nd). The kick stopped in stride does nothing. Apart from this incursion, the Super Falcons are struggling to rebalance the game, still largely dominated by the Canadians. On a cross from Lawrence, striker Huitema is found at the penalty spot but her header narrowly escapes the opposing frame (28th).
The Nigerians, who rarely project themselves, finally manage to stay a little in the Canadian camp by obtaining two consecutive corners (33rd, 34th). On the second set piece, the ball is released on Abodiun, but his shot from 20 meters flies above Sheridan’s crossbar. Shortly after, the Canadian goalkeeper misses a ground out on a new incursion by the Super Falcons (35th). But neither Nigerian manages to get the ball into the goal quickly, and the Canucks defense clears.
The end of the first period is rather poor in offensive movements, the Super Falcons and the Canucks neutralizing each other in turn. The two nations were dangerous during this first act, but it will take more accuracy and precision for the score to evolve on the scoreboard: ten shot attempts were made, for one on target.
Canada misses a penalty
Back from the locker room, the Canadians put their foot on the ball. In the Nigerian surface, Ordega seems to foul on Sinclair. After viewing the VAR, the referee decides to award a penalty to the Canucks. Sinclair thinks of doing justice to herself, but her flat foot is taken out by Nnadozie, who keeps the Super Falcons afloat (50th).
Demehin is then warned of a yellow card on a breakthrough by Canadian striker Huitema, tackled as she went alone towards the Nigerian goal (54th). The faults of the Super Falcons have multiplied since the start of the second half and sometimes lead to interesting situations for their opponents, such as this direct free kick taken by Leon which passes near the cage of Nnadozie (57th).
The two nations fail to find the fault after an hour of play. The Canucks have a sterile dominance of the ball and still lack accuracy. The Super Falcons, meanwhile, are also imprecise and must rely on counterattacks (none since returning from the locker room). So the Nigerians rely on a possible individual feat, like on this shot from Ucheibe from 30 meters which passes well above the goal of Sheridan (67th).
The Canadians seem more and more nervous at the idea of not winning this match, like Lawrence warned about an avoidable shirt pulling (74th). In the aftermath, the Nigerian free kick sends a shiver through the Canadian area, before the defense clears the ball for a corner. But the set piece that follows ultimately gives nothing.
The Nigerians seem to finish the match better and multiply the offensive movements. On a corner, Sheridan had to work in the air, then the referee whistled for a foul in favor of the goalkeeper, to prevent the Super Falcons from opening the scoring (83rd). The last minutes did not give any new clear opportunity on either side, and there were few twists except the exclusion of Abiodun for a severe tackle on Lawrence (90th + 7). The draw seems logical, the first 0-0 of this World Cup.
