Nigeria’s Super Falcons lost 1-0 to Brazil in their opening Group C in the women’s football event of the Paris Olympic games on Thursday.
A Gabi Nunes first half goal was enough to seal the win for the Brazilians.
It was the second time both teams would meet at the Olympic, with the first being at the group stage in Beijing 2008 which Brazil won 3-1.
After a balanced opening minutes it was the Falcons who came the closest to breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes, but Brazil keeper made double saves first denying Chiwendu Ihezuo from close Rangers before parrying Christy Ucheibe’s volley away for a corner.
In the 19th minute Brazil had a chance inside the box but Chiamaka Nnadozie made an easy save.
Nnadozie was called into action again but got down well to stop a long range strike.
Marta thought she has opened the scoring in the 36th minute but the effort was flagged for offside.
But the Brazilians eventually took the lead on 37 minutes through Gabi Nunes who beat the offside trap and rifled her shot beyond the reach of Nnadozie.
Few minutes later Nnadozie had to dive full stretch to stop a long range strike from going in.
The Falcons won a corner but Toni Payne’s swung in effort was nodded by Rasheedat Ajibade which went off target.
In stoppage time there was check for handball against the Falcons but nothing was given by VAR.
In the final minute of first half added time Jennifer Echegini drove into the Brazilian box, beat her marker but saw her effort go off target.
Marta almost made it 2-0 on 60 minutes but her cross cake off the post.
Two minutes later Tosin Demehin made a timely block to deny a Brazilian player from getting to the ball.
Ajibade had a chance on 72 minutes but her shot went straight to the keeper.
With 10 minutes left Abiodun won the ball on the edge of the box but fired over the bar.
Ucheibe tried a long range left foot strike on 86 minutes but the keeper made an easy save.
Up next for the Falcons is a clash with reigning world champions Spain billed for 28 July.
9 Comments
rubbish.
If our ladies can manage and qualify from this group ehn, it would be like a medal to me.
It’s a bloody tough group. Spain and Japan are perhaps even better than Brazil. We just have to hope for the best.
You are right my friend
We are in a tough group
Yes we lost to Brazil but I believe they gave their best
Little more effort against Spain & Japan respectively, we might get out of this group
It didn’t look like a Randy Waldrum tutured side. Embarrassing loss of concentration led to the only goal. Difficulty in carving out nest scoring opportunities was evident even though ever impressive Ajibade Babalade kept her part of barging with clever take-ons, incisive movements, promising crosses and the odd pot-shots at goal.
Okeke struggled and Iheuzo wasted a presentable opportunity. Echegini was anonymous and T Payne wasn’t overly influential. Nnadozie pulled off several impressive saves but was helpless for the goal.
Ucheibe tried to press the issue offensively and defensively but in truth out midfield was out-muscled and overran. Diminutive Abiodun huffed and puffed but was subdued.
Alozie’s throw ins were useless and she was just par-for-the-course in her outputs.
The subs tried to introduce urgency later on but it was too little too late.
Attention to team shape details that defined the team’s approach at the World Cup was missing.
Defeating Spain or drawing on Sunday appears a pipe dream on this disjointed and shambolic showing from the Falcons.
** Rasheedat Ajibade not Ajibade Babalade “”
Did Oshoala fall out with the coach?
Decent and respectful result if you ask me.The team sorely missed Ashleigh and Ayinde. Just a momentary loss of concentration by Demehin with Martha allowed so much time on the ball to curle the ball over the top.
With Deborah playing too deep, Echegini in an unfamiliar position and Toni largely below par today ,it was always going to be difficult going forward.
If you remember that this same Brazilian team beat south Africa 5:0 in South Africa last year while Zambia is currently 3:0 against The USA,then you will appreciate our girls result
Team played very well but the coach shut himself on the foot by start Chiwendu who is very gentle in front of goal. If the Abino does not learn his lessons this trend will only continue. Onumonu was good on the ball she surprised me but our best player was Ajibade and Demehin. Gracious goodness Rashidat was the MoM if we had won the match or drew…. Better luck next time…..
Dropping Rinsola was criminal. Apart from Ajibade the attack is toothless.