Olympic champions Canada were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria in their opening match at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The North Americans showed a mixed performance on Friday (07/21/2023) in Melbourne.
Captain Christine Sinclair became the tragic heroine of her colors in her 324th international match. The 40-year-old attacker failed in the 50th minute with a self-inflicted penalty by keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and thus missed her eleventh goal in a World Cup in her sixth World Cup participation. In the second group game next Wednesday (July 26, 2023, 2 p.m. CEST), Sinclair and Co. will have to improve in order to lay the foundation for qualifying for the round of 16. One day later (07/27/2023, 12 noon), Nigeria duels with co-hosts Australia.
Canada with more possession but harmless
Canada started dominantly and squeezed the African record champions in their own half in the early stages. Far too seldom, however, did Beverly Priestman’s team manage to put pressure on the flanks against the Nigerians, who were very compact in the centre. Balls in the back of the “Super Falcons” defense were a rarity. With the exception of a shot by captain Sinclair from around 16 meters, which missed the target quite clearly in the ninth minute, the favored North Americans did not achieve much offensively in the first half.
Nigeria has the lead on foot
The Nigerians were even the more dangerous team from the middle of the first half because they acted more straightforwardly and with more speed in the forward movement. When Ifeoma Onumonu scored, keeper Kailen Sheridan had to stretch out to prevent the outsider from making it 1-0 (23′). And Ashley Lawrence was just able to scrape a shot from Asisat Oshoala off the line (36′). Coach Randy Waldrum could be very satisfied with the performance of his “Super Falcons” at halftime.
Speaking of forest rum: according to Nigerian media reports, the local association wanted to send the American to the desert after he harshly criticized his employer in a podcast. Or at least back to America. But according to Ademola Olajire, media director of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the “incompetent loudmouth” was allowed to stay because the country’s sports ministry is said to have intervened against the dismissal of “the worst coach the ‘Super Falcons’ have ever had” (Olajire).
Sinclair misses a penalty kick
Shortly after the change of sides, the face of the 66-year-old darkened. Referee Lina Lehtovaara (Finland) pointed to the penalty spot after Russia legionnaire Francisca Ordega kicked in too violently in her own penalty area against Sinclair. The sighting of the TV moving image left the referee with no other choice. Sinclair ran, but her shot, which was too unplaced, failed at goalkeeper Nnadozie (50th). Canada was not discouraged, kept running and was unlucky that Adriana Leon failed on the post (57th).
Defend “Super Falcons”. passionate – Red for Abiodun
For Leon (64th) and shortly afterwards also unlucky Rabin Sinclair (71st) the game was over prematurely. Coach Priestman also changed them to provide fresh impetus with fresh players. And what did Waldrum do? First nothing! And it was not absolutely necessary to make personnel changes. Although the outsider was only rarely able to initiate relief attacks. Defensively, however, the Africans remained safe with a few exceptions. The “Super Falcons” survived the eight-minute added time unscathed. The only annoyance for Waldrum was the red card against Deborah Abiodun shortly before the final whistle (90 + 8) for gross foul play.