A late Alexia Putellas superb long range free-kick earned world champions Spain a 1-0 win against Nigeria’s Super Falcons in their second Group C game in the women’s football event of the Paris Olympic games on Sunday.
It is now back-to-back defeats for the Falcons while the Spaniards have made it two wins from two games.
Falcons coach Randy Waldrum made a few changes with Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo starting.
Up next for the Falcons is a clash with Japan on Wednesday, July 31.
The Japanese bounced back from their defeat to Spain with a 2-1 victory against Brazil.
Spain went close in the 14th minute through Lucia Garcia but her shot was not enough to cause damage.
In the 20th minute Salma Paralluelo hit a shot but her effort was saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Three minutes later Esther Okoronkwo went close but wss unsuccessful with her attempt on goal.
Alexia Putellas smashed in a shot on target in the 25th minute but Nnadozie was equaled to it.
Few minutes later the Falcons best fell to Rasheedat Ajibade but she failed to convert.
Ten minutes into the second half Paralluelo drove forward but was caught offside.
In the 69th minute the Falcons countered but an offside call was made.
On 72 minutes the Falcons made double substitutions with Chiwendu Ihezuo and Nicole Payne replaced Asisat Oshoala and Michelle Alozie.
On 74 minutes Putellas tried to chip Nnadozie but her effort sailed way over the bar.
With 16 minutes left a dangerous cross was put into the Falcons area but Nnadozie claimed it.
Spain went close again in the 77th minute but Deborah Abiodun made a timely block for a corner.
A minute later Irene Paredes met a corner but her header went just wide.
With 10 minutes left the Spaniard almost profited from a goalmouth scramble but Nnadozie quickly gathered the loose ball.
Osinachi Ohale was the Saviour for the Falcons as she made a goal line clearance on 81 minutes.
The breakthrough finally came for Spain in the 85th minute as Putellas freekick sailed over Nnadozie and into the net.
In the 91st minute Ihezuo went on a solo run but could not hit her effort past the Spanish keeper.
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10 Comments
The problem the Falcons are facing is that same old chestnut of a lack of competent strikers – Oshoala is definitely not it, I am so disappointed in her and it’s not even clear why she has suffered such a drop in any kind of capability ehn, it’s like she’s 38 or anything like that and she is still mixing in professional footy circles but she is such a disappointment chaii!
We have nobody – Zero competent strikers in any way shape or form who know where the back of the net is, ha! Omase o! If only we had a foreign born woman striker like somebody like that Diame of France! God help us o!
Anyway, I am not disappointed at the team as a whole, just flummoxed as to how we got into this position of an abject dearth of striking options! Next base ojare!
Well, the problems I saw with today’s loss to Spain are as follows:
1) Inability to retain possession and repel Spain.
2) Criminal wastefulness of the few chances created to score.
3) Adoption of an ultra-defensive approach dialled up to 11 that would always reward braver team so, well done to Spain. I actually wish they had scored one more goal as I have come to detest ultra defensive football with a passion.
4) Absence of enough midfielders with fluidity and mobility.
Well, it was fun whilst it lasted. Again, the discipline that defined Waldrum’s world cup approach was sadly lacking again here.
Perhaps he has run out of ideas.
Player Ratings
If playing for a draw was the objective, then Waldrum was unsuccessful as Spain secured a slim but well deserved 1:0 win.
Ratings.
Nnadozie: She produced a phenomenal save to dive low and parry to her right off a corner kick. Her distributions were hits or misses. She manufactured several routine and top quality saves and commanded her area with authority.
I was totally satisfied with her performance. 8/10
Alozie: I think she was guilty of not helping the team retain possession at times. She defended admirably well but some crosses sneaked in from her area.
I respect the professionalism she brings to bear but I expected far greater composure on the ball from her. 6/10
Ohale: A few jitters earlier on but she grew into the match with fabulous tackles and interceptions with impeccable timing. A goal mouth clearance was the peak of the bunch.
She filled me with confidence with her display which made me enjoy her time on the ball. 7/10.
Demehin: She gave away the freekick for the goal which will haunt her. She hardly put a foot wrong and got stuck in crucial tackles, interceptions and shieldings.
I love the confidence she exuded and how she interacted with others. 6/10
Okeke: A much confident defensive display and she functioned very well with Okoronkwo and others down the left in decent passages of possession play. She was undeterred in 1 situations.
She lifted my spirit on the ball with her attempts to support passing routines. 6/10
Pt2
Ucheibe: She retrieved and recycled the ball severally. She exchanged neat passes with others even though she lost the ball at times. Still, did well defensively less so offensively.
Her focused performance drew me in but left me hanging when she couldn’t help retain possession for long. 6/10
Abiodun: She was phenomenal in wriggling out of tight spots and breaking down the play of the Spaniards with well timed and eloquent retrievals, blocks, markings and interceptions. Her interactions with others led to neat passings.
Abiodun grabbed my attention and locked it in place delightfully whenever she was on the ball. I was fully invested in her game. 8.5/10
T. Payne: She was largely anonymous. He markings and shieldings off the ball contributed to frustrating Spain. She kept her passing simple but they weren’t transformative.
She didn’t excite me on the ball at all but I respect her professionalism even though much was expected of her ball retention skills than she actually delivered. 5/10
Ajibade: Oh dear! She couldn’t clear her feet of cobwebs when put clean on goal earlier whilst blasting another effort sky high. She was involved in some clever interchange of passes with Alozie, Okoronkwo and others before the moves broke down prematurely whilst she defended well and moved swiftly with the ball.
To be honest, those misses left a bad taste on my tongue but her defensive work compensated somewhat. 5/10
Oshoala: She could really have had 2 assists had Ajibade taken those chances after a clever through ball and an excellent hold up play from Agba-Baller. She rolled her sleeves to do the dirty work in midfield and earned a yellow card for her troubles. She was calm and her passes were neat but perhaps she could have taken initiative to try and score when on 1v1 rather than waiting and passing to Ajibade who wasted it anyway.
It was a soothing and emollient experience when Oshoala was on the ball as her composure grew on me. 6.5/10
Okoronkwo: She swapped wings with Oshoala severally to orchestrate passing manuovres. I clapped once when she took on several Spanish players successfully to drive into their area with conviction in her dribble. She really supported the left fullback area well. She combined well with Ajibade to carve out a scoring opportunity and she almost connected with a cross from Oshoala.
I was thrilled by some of her touches which held immense appeal for me but I had hoped it would result in a goal. 6.5/10
Final Part
Sub
Onumonu: She continued to be an ineffective winger as I struggle to see what Randy Waldrum likes in this player.
Onumonu has a steely focused look which contributes to her screen presence. Her overall defensive professionalism makes me tolerate and respect her. 5/10
N. Payne: She slotted into right back admirably well but didn’t deliver a pass of note.
Payne was so-so today and she radiated this warmth on the ball which made me look forward to seeing her in action.
Iheuzo: She got in mouthwatering positions and ran at goal only to apply saveable technique. She came in with urgency and potents which went unfulfilled.
She got my heat racing with that big chance but, hey-ho, these things happen. Bet luck next time, mate. 5/10
Kanu: Anybody who noticed anything meaningful she did can come and rate her.
Me, I’m done!
Correction:
Iheuzo: She got in mouthwatering positions and ran at goal only to apply saveable technique. She came in with urgency and potentials which went unfulfilled.
She got my heart racing with that big chance but, hey-ho, these things happen. Better luck next time, mate. 5/10
Irrespective of the outcome of the SF in the olympics, the nff should allow Waldrum to continue with this team. It’s obvious the SF has improved significantly and confidence matching up with top teams without losing their balance or structure. The team would have been in a better position if Ihezuo had been more prolific scoring the begging chances each against Brazil and Spain, or had the team scored at least one of the three chances created by Asisat in today’s match.
The starting 11 today is 90% ready to compete with the best teams.. Ashleigh for Okeke, and may be discover a more creative midfielder. The strikers just need to step-up.
If they win by 2 goals against Japan, that puts them at advantage over Japan and can qualify for QF.
Is there course to think that Waldrum has run out of ideas?
I think Waldrum has done well by instilling a level of grit and confidence, mostly defensively, that aid us in holding our own against the world best teams and not getting blown away. But I think it is time we get to the next level, which is actually competing with these teams. We should show respect to these teams but not that much respect that we can’t compete to beat them. What is the essence of qualifying for these tournaments if not to actually compete and win?
For me, I will retain Waldrum, but hopefully, he pushes much more forward and instill the confidence attack wise so as to make us compete and actually win something.
I don’t know, I am just from the balance school of thought, who believes in taking the initiative rather than been ultra defensive. I want my team to also be able to dictate the game and play rather than just shielding the defence and hoping on the opponent to make mistakes before we actually do something. That style can only take you thus far, it is never sustainable.