Canada head coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller says the Super Falcons gave her side a good fight in Monday’s 2-1 friendly win at the Pinatar Stadium, Murcia, reports Completesports.com.
The Canadians rallied back from a goal down to win the highly entertaining encounter.
Desire Oparanozie gave the Super Falcons the lead in the 27th minute following a flowing counter attacking move.
Canada’s backline had pressed high up the pitch working to play through on the ground and a turnover lead to Oparanozie being sprung behind centre backs Kadeisha Buchanan and Shelina Zadorsky. Buchanan got back to make a sliding challenge, however, Oparanozie took a touch around the sliding defender and slotted the ball past Erin McLeod.
Janine Beckie and Sophie Schmidt scored after the break to hand North Africans victory in the game and extended their unbeaten streak to six games.
“It definitely was a battle. They gave us some physical challenges but I think we stood up to it. The most important thing was we showed composure, after going 1-0 down, it’s about keeping our structures right and keeping our composure,”Heiner-Møller told reporters after the game.
“The second half was about us having more players in the penalty area and we definitely became more dangerous.
“This camp was all about partnership and sharpening the tools. It’s about finding more than one player to each position and I think we solved that. It’s a great group, in total, a great camp and two great wins.”
Nigeria has qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and are also preparing for France 2019, where they will face Norway, Korea Republic and hosts France in Group A.
By Adeboye Amosu
10 Comments
Super Falcons don’t seem to be getting their act together. This is discouraging going to a World Cup. I hope they improve because they’re in a group of death.
Hello Ako Amadi. Maybe are noticing something that has thus far eluded me.
Do you mind kindly shedding more light to what you meant when you said ‘Super Falcons don’t seem to be getting their acts together’.
Correction **** Maybe you are noticing ****
A 2-1 scoreline against the 5th ranked team in the world is discouraging? That team has been unbeaten in 7 matches. Brother I think the only person that needs to get his acts together is you.
I have a strong feeling that this coach would surprise us at the World Cup. I think he is working on something, building this team. Dike didn’t play today, even when he needed goals..so maybe he has seen enough of her and wanted to take a look at others. Unluckily losing this match by a lone goal may imply that we would have won had we used Oshoala, Ordega and Dike.
nice comment. You are on point Onwajunior.
Canada won this game from their coach technical strength.
When two giants meet, what differentiates is always how technically sound their bench is.
Supper eagle is also having this challenge as we saw in the world cup and some of our qualify matches.
Our coaches need to wake up.
The disadvantage we have is that the coach is still trying out players, whereas our adversaries are already testing their teams and building cohesion ahead of the world cup. That’s usually the problem when there’s a relatively new helmsman on board. And that is why we need to imbibe that virtue of patience. This things don’t just come quick and fast. Our starting 11 keeps changing every game, meaning it will take some time before the entire team dynamics come to a convergence. I’m really looking forward to an entertaining world cup from the Falcons. This team will surely not lay down to be overran.
Mr writer at Ade Amosu pls Canada is not North Africa as u refer in ur article here… Do not use ur mistakes to confused some reader’s in this una sport site. Cross check carefully bfor u post article here pls tnk u
Oparanozie pure class
Just look at the way Oparanozie scored the goal: she positioned herself so to be acres of space, collected and controlled the ball, still had time to leave one defender for dead with a cut-dribbling manoeuvre before slotting the ball home with the composure to a seasoned goals-queen ; purely and thoroughly impeccable!
https://youtu.be/KlinuogyaFs
Lol, dis kain dance na wa oooo. Well taken goal by Oparanozie. Not a bad performance by the team. Could be better. One thing I want them to work on is not giving away possession too easily, especially in and around our 18 yard box. Better to balloon it out than take unnecessary risks.