Super Falcons of Nigeria held Sweden to a 3-3 draw in the ongoing FIFA women's world cup in Canada on Monday evening.
The Edwin Okon-led team came from behind twice, to salvage a point from the game and are going to face Australia in their next game on June 12.
Liverpool Ladies striker, Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi and Francisca Ordega gave Nigeria all the three goals after Desire Oparanozie scored an own goal in the 21st minute of the game.
The Super Falcons were superb, and physical but the defense is still an issue, and hopefully, they can improve in the next game.
Tantalising Super Falcons held Sweden to a 3-3 draw
Reviewed by Unknown
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23:15:00
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Reviewed by Unknown
on
23:15:00
Rating:
The Super Falcons can win this thing. The only problem is that the technical crew lead by Edwin Okon is not helping matters. The coaching staff put too much pressure on the strikers. The midfield was nonexistent. Defense line completely collapsed allowing the Swedes those easy, and early goals. This is what the coaching staff can do if they must give these deserving, hardworking girls a chance to savor the moment they earned. (1) Replace Dede; she was a fantastic goalkeeper in her prime. No one can be eighteen year-old twice, Nigerians must accept the truth. Dede of old would not have allowed those easy and preventable goals. (Two) the team had no players to defend set plays. It is unclear why the coaching staff had Courtney and Umotong on the bench. These two players learned soccer skills; rules of the game from prep, middle school, high school, and college in the United States before they come this far. Conversely, they can aggressively attack and defend against any set plays. On record, Africans teams men and women have always lacked behind in set plays and it has caused us dearly each time. I am saying this because this game has gone beyond being athletic. From now on Courtney Dike must start each game. The Falcons' fans may recall that she was the first player to score in the U20 world cup last year. And she made that crucial pass to a team mate in the game against England which resulted in the Falconets being in the final. Without her brilliant plays there was nothing for Nigeria in the finals. Why did the Falcons defend so poorly against set plays? It is lack of knowledge of the game. As a certified USSF Referee, this particular team can win this cup. But, the technical crew must rebuild the defense and the midfield. I dove my hats for the strike force that sent a stern message to Swedish Coach who boasted emptily on how she was going to mangle the Falcons. With some adjustments, Nigeria can will the Cup. Congratulations for showing class, tact, super skills that forced Sweden crash. C Udoh, Arizona.
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Analysis sir, but may I just say that what if Dede was under pressure and may be just another chance will be worth the while, and in the process coach Okon fix his backline with d inclusion on Courtney in the front line... I said this because Enaholo also allowed 2 cheap goals which gave Brazil victory over Nigeria... may be it was due to stage fright...
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