WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Asisat Oshoala’s team-mate propels Spain to reach first Women’s World Cup final

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2023

Asisat Oshoala’s team-mate at Barcelona, Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to shoot Spain ahead in the 81^st minute of a keenly contested semi finals with Sweden.

Aged 19 years and 275 days, she has become the second youngest player to score in a FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final match after Canada’s Kara Lang (16y 348d) which was also against Sweden in 2003.

But in Tuesday’s contest, the Swedes fought back seven minutes later to stalemate scores. But within a minute, the pendulum swung back in Spain’s favour as Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute to set up a showdown with Australia or England.

And so, Spain secured their place in a first FIFA Women’s World Cup final after battling to a 2-1 win over Sweden following a thrilling finish to the semi-final at Eden Park in Auckland.

Sweden had the best chance of the first half three minutes before half-time when Nathalie Bjorn lofted a cross to the far post but Fridolina Rolfo’s side-foot shot was pushed away by Cata Coll.

The second half was similarly cagey before Spain carved out an opening with 20 minutes ago when substitute Paralluelo kept the ball alive but Alba Redondo was unable to steer her shot inside the post.

Spain edged in front with nine minutes to go when Jenni Hermoso’s cross bounced back off Jonna Andersson and Paralluelo swept the ball home.

Sweden levelled with two minutes to go when Lina Hurtig directed a high cross to fellow substitute Rebecka Blomqvist, who steered a fine finish beyond Coll.

But Spain were back in front moments later when a corner was rolled to the edge of the penalty area to Carmona and the captain’s shot crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, with Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic only getting fingertips to the ball.

Spain will now face Australia or England in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

What a goal-laden day for Nigeria; Falconets also win with wide margin!

Published

2 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria Super Falconets gave Nigerians additional joy after their 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in Cali, Colombia in their last group match. Their victory followed up with an earlier 3-0 win by the Super Eagles in their opening Group D match with Benin Republic in Uyo.

The Falconets’ win means they have qualified for the Round of 16 where they are most likely going to face Japan when the group games are completed on Sunday.

Both Nigeria and Germany tied on six points, but Germany have one goal better than Nigeria on goal difference.

The Super Falcons made early hays when Amina Bello put Nigeria ahead after 16 minutes. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu doubled the lead in the 28^th minute before Flourish Sebastine put in the third five minutes into the added time of the first half. Joy Igbokwe put in the back breaker four minutes into the added time of the second hald.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Okwuchukwu shines despite Nigeria’s defeat to Germany in U-20 Women’s World Cup

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign suffered a setback as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against a clinical German side in Bogota, Colombia on Wednesday night.

The result secures Germany’s place in the knockout stages, while leaving the Falconets with work to do in their final group match.

In an end-to-end encounter, both sides created numerous chances, but it was Germany who struck first. Cora Zicai’s pinpoint cross found Alara Sehitler, who nodded home in the 17th minute to give the Europeans the lead.

Nigeria’s star performer, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, had earlier come close to opening the scoring with a magnificent solo run, only to be denied by German goalkeeper Rebecca Adamczyk.

Okwuchukwu’s persistence paid off early in the second half when she capitalized on a defensive mix-up to draw Nigeria level, celebrating with Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘siuuu’ celebration.

However, Germany’s quality shone through as they regained the lead through Sofie Zdebel, again assisted by the impressive Zicai.

Despite Okwuchukwu having another goal ruled out for offside, Germany sealed the win in stoppage time with Sarah Ernst’s powerful header.

The defeat leaves Nigeria on three points from two matches, with their final group game against Venezuela in Cali now crucial to their hopes of progressing.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Points of Note in Falconets’ loss to Germany

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Germany beat Nigeria’s Falconets 3-1 in their second group game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. With Germany’s win, the Europeans have made it to the last 16 stage, even with a game to spare.

The coach of Germany, Kathrin Peter acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian team , saying: “It was a really tough match today.

“That was expected, but we actually had big problems in defence. They had a few chances where we had the necessary luck, we have to admit that.

“But in the second half we were really good and asserted our dominance and I think we deserved to win in the end.”

Here are some major points:

Germany beat Nigeria 2-0 in the final match 14 years ago in Germany.

Germany have now won their last four FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup meetings with Nigeria. Alex Popp inspired a 2-0 victory in the 2010 final, Lena Petermann settled the decider in extra-time four year later, and Stefanie Sanders was the solitary scorer in Group D in 2018.