Brazil Force Falconets To 1-1 Draw

Brazil, early today forced Nigeria’s Falconets to a 1-1 draw to deny them an early passage to the quarter final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup holding in Japan.

The Falconets went ahead in the 44th minute from a powerful drive through Francesca Ordega. She was close to scoring on several occasions, but shortly after receiving a pass from Ngozi Okobi at the edge of the box, Ordega made a turn around a Brazilian defender before firing home a thunderous shot, with goalkeeper Danele having no answer to it.

The clash that was played under the scorching sun at the Komaba Stadium in Saitama, Japan, saw centre referee, Esther Staubli of Switzerland gave out a total number of seven cards, four to Nigeria and three to the Brazilians.

It looked like the Falconets, captained by Gloria Ofoegbu had claimed the three points in the hard-fought and physical encounter until Giovanna Oliveira appeared from the blues to earn a point for the Brazilians in the 88th minute.

The duo of Esther Sunday and Josephine Chukwunonye, who operated from the left side of the field, were a thorn in the flesh for the backline of Brazil, as they combined well to make some incursions into the vital area of their opponents.

Despite the Nigerian girls, making good runs. the Brazilians also came close to getting an wqualiser.

Knowing that a loss will dash their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the tourney, the Brazilians kept mounting pressure on the Nigerian team, while Ordega and Oparanozie were hoping for a fast break which never came. As the Brazilians continued searching for the leveller, the Nigerians went hard on their opponents, especially in their half, receiving verbal cautions from the referee.

The Brazilians however have Thais Guedes to thank for her contribution because she was their free–kick specialist. Guedes’ whip on several occasions caused some scare in the Nigerian area, and even saw Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper, Ibubeleye Whyte being substituted by Chioma Nwankwo, after she collided with a player.

However, Guedes gave Brazil their deserved draw against Nigeria, when her 88th minute free-kick was headed home by Olieviera.

Nigeria will have a second opportunity to qualify for the last eight when they face Italy in the last group tie on Sunday, while Brazil face Korea Republic in a must-win encounter same day.

Meanwhile, Globacom has advised the Falconets to go out and win the trophy. The telecommunications company in a press statement, urged the team to concentrate and play cohesively in order to ensure constant victory as the competition progresses towards the next round.

According to Globacom, the performance exhibited by the team during the match against Korea and Brazil suggested that the Falconets are on the rise.

—Adebobola Alawode