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Ireland 0-0 Nigeria: Super Falcons seal Round of 16 berth with historic unbeaten feat
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria booked their place in the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup, following a 0-0 draw against Ireland at the Lang Park in Brisbane on Monday.
Ireland coach, Vera Pauw made two changes from the 2-1 defeat to Canada last time out as Heather Payne returned after pulling up in the warm-up against the Canucks, while Lily Agg came into the midfield as Aine O’Gorman and Lucy Quinn dropped to the bench.
On his part, Randy Waldrum went with just the one alteration as Asisat Oshoala’s goal off the bench in the victory over Australia was enough to earn her a place in the starting XI, preferred to the benched Ifeoma Onumonu.
The Girls in Green have already had their hopes of reaching the knockout stages ended after a pair of narrow defeats to Australia and Canada, though they will no doubt be proud of their efforts after a decent showing in what was their first-ever World Cup.
Nigeria’s chances, meanwhile, are very much alive after a brilliant 3-2 win over co-hosts Australia last time out, one that means they top the group on goals scored ahead of the game and will progress if they avoid defeat.
The Republic of Ireland and Nigeria met for the first time ever at the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Nigeria has won just one of their 13 games against European teams in the competition (two draws, 10 defeats), failing to score in five of their last six games against such opposition.
A neat Ireland in the fifth-minute move ended with Sinead Farrelly laying the ball back for Katie McCabe to hit the first time from outside the box. She fired goalwards, but can only fizz her powerful effort wide of the right post.
Louise Quinn inexplicably gave the ball away to Uchenna Kanu, who quickly slid Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala in on goal in the 14th minute. She was forced a bit wide, though, and her eventual shot flew across goal and agonisingly wide of the post, much to Quinn’s relief.
The Girls in Green’s disappointing results just have not matched up with their impressively energetic displays at this World Cup, and they started well again here.
Both teams had big chances to get their noses in front, with neither McCabe nor Oshoala able to take them in the first half.
In the 52nd minute, Toni Payne got to the byline before cutting back on her right foot, lofting a delightful delivery into the box. Kanu leaped highest and headed down toward the bottom corner, looking to have done everything right to put her team ahead. However, Courtney Brosnan acrobatically gets down to her right, pawing the ball onto the crossbar and away from danger to keep her side level.
A minute later, Nigeria went close again as Oshoala found the space to fire towards the goal from inside the box, though her effort was dragged wide as the Super Falcons have ramped it up since the break, knowing only a victory will take them through as group winners.
Gift Monday who replaced Uchenna Kanu in the 68th minute made her World Cup debut for the nine-time African champions.
Nigeria became the first African team to keep two clean sheets at the World Cup, not conceding against Canada and the Republic of Ireland. The team only conceded two goals against Australia during a 3-2 win.
Nigeria scored three goals in their last game, against Australia (3-2), after scoring a total of only two goals in their previous seven FIFA Women’s World Cup games combined.
However, they have only kept three clean sheets in their last 19 games in the competition, and also became the only African side to have avoid defeat in the group stage in the tournament’s history.
Waldrum’s side finished second in Group B with five points, a point behind Australia which had a 4-0 win over Canada and will face Group D winners, potentially European champions England in the Round of 16.
