 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
Canada Beats Nigeria 2-0 After some early to-and-fro, the final group stage match settled into an alluring rhythm as both sides surged into attack. Canada hit out with the first real chance as 15-year-old phenom Kara Lang raced into the box on the end of a well-lofted long ball. Though Francisca Agbara raced off her line to snuff out the danger, the foray forward was a meaningful warning shot as Team Canada began to assert a degree of control over the match (9’). The Nigerians continued to cause the Canadians fits with there speed in the attack, but couldn’t quite find that final click. It was the North Americans that got the first bite at the cherry as Agbara dragged down Sasha Andrews in the box. The referee wasted no time pointing to the spot and striker extraordinaire Sinclair stepped up and buried the spot kick, sending the flag-waving crowd into frenzied celebrations (0:1, 25’). The Canadians
continued to steam in search of another goal, but were unable to find it before
the half, much to the relief of an increasingly ragged Nigerian rearguard. The red-clad North Americans continued to turn the screws on the despairing Nigerians for the lion’s share of the second half, punctuated by isolated moments of Nigerian brilliance and verve. A brilliant, surging, solo run from Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine opened up the Canadian defence like a tin of beans, and a rocket of a shot from 16 yards was only just kept out by Erin McLeod (68’). But Nigerian dreams of a profound fight back were dashed just moments later as Sinclair again found the net from a Melanie Booth corner kick, sending the 15, 303 fans in attendance into raptures (0:2, 69’). And only moments after the goal, Lang burst into the box and rang a shot off the post from close range (71’). As the final whistle went, Canada sent another shudder through the remaining competition, most specifically England, who will be their quarterfinal opponents. The result sets the final positions for the quarterfinals. Also from Group A, Denmark are now the other third place to team to move on, and they will face the United States in Victoria, while Japan finish second in the group and will face Germany. Ntiero Effiom Ntiero, the Nigerian coach, was resigned after the match. “We were not fully prepared for this tournament ... The climate was a problem, and we consider this a learning experience.” Christine Sinclair, who scored five goals in the group stage, had this to say, “We created some great chances tonight. Nigeria was the fastest team we’ve played thus far.” Source:
www.fifa.com |
Team
Canada finished off a perfect first round record at the FIFA U-19 Women’s
World Championship as they downed Nigeria’s ‘Falconets’ by virtue
of a Christine Sinclair brace in Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. As Canada
run off with the group, five points ahead of their nearest rivals, Nigeria find
themselves on the next flight home with only one point from three matches.