The United States of America defeated the Super Falcons of Nigeria 2-0 to emerge winners of the Summer Series four-nation tournament.
Late goals in the first and second halves from Christen Press and Lynn Williams sealed the win for the host team.
It was the Falcons second defeat in three games in the invitational tournament while the US claimed their third win.
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They lost 1-0 to Jamaica their opening game before drawing 3-3 with Portugal in their second.
Falcons keeper Tochukwu Oluehi was called into action on 19 minutes making a diving save off Sam Mewis.
In the 21st minute Onome Ebi received a pass from Oluehi, Lloyd bears down, and blocked the clearance, forcing Oluehi into another save.
The American went close in the 25th minute after a crossfield ball to Megan Rapinoe whose header forced another fine save from Oluehi.
The Falcons should have scored on 38 minutes following a great hustle by Asisat Oshoala whose effort was blocked. She won it back and laid it for Toni Payne, who blasted it over.
But two minutes of first half added time the Americans opened the scoring after play broke down for the Falcons in the middle which saw Glory Ogbonna miss her challenge which saw Christen Press curl her effort past Oluehi.
Two minutes into the second half Oluehi came way out to break up a looming attack, and had to retreat to her goal to deny Carli Lloyd.
The Falcons continued to chase the game for the equaliser but the Americans backline held firm.
And in the 94th minute the Americans sealed the win as Falcons player Adule gave the ball away which saw Williams take advantage, rounded Oluehi and rolled the ball into an empty net.
9 Comments
Good test games for the girls, I believe the coaching crew have had enough lessons from this game since the coach is new and building a new team, with time we will get the full benefits of these friendlies especially in competitive matches. Kudus!
It’s obvious that the falcons midfield is their weakest point, too many lose ball from our midfielders. I believe the coach can still turn things around because it’s seems the coach is tactically sound.
Damage limitation appeared to have been the strategy of coach Randy Waldrum after being helpless to watch his Super Falcons tutored side lose 2:0 to his home country USA in the early hours of this morning.
I think the American gaffer was well aware of the frightening potential of the USA as well as the defensive frailties of Nigeria which informed his tactics for this match.
Nigeria played five (with even striker Toni Payne playing as right fullback) at the back and sat deep to soak American pressure before attempting to hit them on counter attacking manoeuvres. And this approach worked for large parts and actually accounted for how late in both halves the Americans nicked their goals.
For those conversant with the approach of coach Simeone at Atletico Madrid, they will know that this approach requires pristine focus, statima, concentration, attention to position, defensive solidity and sharpness in front when counter attacking.
Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi was playing out of her skin as she pulled off a string of world class saves throughout the encounter. But Nigeria’s defence showed lapses which had been the achilles heel of the team thus far in the tournament.
In a defensive wall of five, Christine Press still found herself unmarked around Nigeria’s 18 yard box before curling a beauty past the lively but hapless Oluehi. This, following sloppiness from defender Glory Ogbonna which more or less gifted the Americans a goal in the dying embers of the first half.
If I want to be over-critical, I will say the Super Falcons showed America too much respect. They stayed way too deep so much so that when they did make incursions into America’s final third, they had neither the numbers nor the composure to make any dent.
Oshoala, Dike and Ordega all barked sporadically but lacked the bite to perforate the Americans.
In the middle, you could see what Ijeoma Okonkwo was trying to do: maintain possession, dictate the tempo and hold the ball long enough for Nigeria to flood bodies forward. But the Americans crowded her out in midfield and kept possession far too long for her plans to manifest.
In truth, the Falcons showed more attacking intent in the second half but were repelled by a disciplined America showing why they are world champions and number one in FIFA rankings.
And has been seen so often in international football, the extra quality of the Americans will show after their 94th minute goal gave them a comfortable 2 goals lead (following another questionable defending by Nigeria).
In a way, Waldrum achieved his aim: Nigeria weren’t walloped by the Americans. But in truth, USA could still have gone up a gear or two if they wanted while Nigeria gave it all they’ve got (based on how Waldrum set them up).
In all, the Falcons need ball playing midfielders, they need composure in front of goal, they need to be comfortable in possession and alert off the ball for this strategy to work next time.
Conclusively, they did their best and can be content with lessons learnt from this tournament. Hopefully build on these for the future.
Corrections:
1. Payne and not Dike in paragraph 8.
2. Payne played left wing back and not right fullback.
3. Okoronkwo not Okonkwo.
You funny my bother:D. Anybody wey go critize you sey you call Okoronkwo, okonkwo need to understand Buhari’s language…lol. Good analysis!
The team really tried and the American coach is tactically sound. He would definitely turn around the team for better. With time, the US, Germany, Canada and other powerhouses would not defeat us anymore.
Give and take, lets be realistic for once. You could see a Super Falcon`s team playing to instructions and maintaining their tactical discipline. The composition of the team alone and the fact that they had little or no time together is enough to commend the them. The team the coach had in the previous tournament is bit different to this coupled with the late call ups who were just being part of the team for the very first time. I was expecting a bashing but after 30 minutes of play and it was still goalless, before I had the nerves to watch the match. The late goal in each half were due to some clumsy play which I know the coach has the capability to correct with time. Do not forget how many warm up matches the Americans have played before now coupled with their pedigree.
I expect an influx of players from the entire globe to the team as it is now, with good selection things will start working out for the Super Falcons very soon.
we lost possession of the ball ALOT through terrible passes, there was no meaningful threat at the goal of the Americans. There was a heavy lack of fundamentals, and I wondered how these girls play professional football when they could barely play a firm pass to one another without having the opponent get to it first. I remember an instance when oshoala had the ball and was on a counter attack instead of holding up for help to arrive she either tried to pass or tried to take a shot at goal but either way she played ball straight back to the retreating defenders hence giving up possession once more. As much as I love the falcons there is ALOT of work to be done cos nothing has changed much in terms of how these girls play for the past 8 years. All the blame could be placed on NFF for barely arranging any friendly matches for these girls to come together more often and build chemistry. Can imagine this tournament was only the second time the team has come together in 14 months. We can’t blame the pandemic either because even before that they would only come together for competitions, NO friendly matches for these girls what so ever and yet we expect them to beat a team like america. Well hopefully this coach will be able to persuade NFF to organize friendly matches for these girls. It’s well!!
3 friendly games, no victory recorded….. We’re watching….