Football Ferns throw kitchen and sink at Switzerland but fail to progress with Norway from Group A

By Ed Emeanua

Faith cannot move mountains and New Zealand found that out the hard way at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand in their Group A clash with Switzerland at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Football Ferns and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-host, threw both the kitchen and sink at La Nati, but failed to score in the goalless encounter, to crash out from Group A, and leaving Norway and their opponents to progress at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.

The Swiss started the game on the front foot, to some early possession, but were slowly pushed back all the way to keeper Thalmann. In the 3rd minute, a long ball forward locates Bachmann who slices inside and propels a shot from range.

New Zealand who shocked the football world in their opening game of the tournament with a historic 1-0 win against Norway controlled the game but found breaking the duck harder than imagined.

Much has to be said of the Swiss resoluteness as their host, buoyed by their vociferous hopeful fans spurred on the Ferns who played so much with hope and determination till the very end.

While the Swiss held firm at their rear in Dunedin, to stretch the game to a scoreless first-half, elsewhere at the Eden Park, the New Zealand national stadium, Norway took a 3-0 first half lead against the Philippines into the break and returned in the second half to score another 3 goals to complete their 6-0 rout over The Philippines.

Starting XI: Line-ups

Norway: Mikalsen, Bjelde, Mjelde, Harviken, Tuva Hansen, Risa, Maanum, Reiten, Haug, Caroline Hansen, Haavi.

Subs: Fiskerstrand, Sonstevold, Horte, Bergsvand, Engen, Saevik, Hegerberg, Eikeland, Blakstad, Lund, Josendal, Pettersen.

Philippines: McDaniel, Cowart, Sawicki, Long, Bolden, Eggesvik, Flanigan, Beard, Barker, Quezada, Guillou

Norway’s goals in the first half-half came off the boots of Sophie Román Haug with a brace in the 6‎’‎ and 17‎’, and ‎Caroline Graham Hansen (31‎’‎).

The ball was flicked in and Haug finds the corner with an fantastic strike at a tricky angle in the 6th minute and then with a header in the 17th to take her team to a brisk 2-0 lead early on.

Sophie Roman Haug scores again for Norway with a fine header. Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP

The Philippines began the game brilliantly, troubling the Norway defense but two brilliant moments from Haug stunned and snuffed out their fire.

Graham’s goal in the minute was about enough to kill the game and fetch Norway qualification to the next stage of the tournament.

Caroline Graham Hansen has put the game beyond doubt on the half hour mark. A brilliant finish from the Barcelona winger. Photograph: Buda Mendes/Getty Images

In the second half, Norway fired ahead with two more early goals from the efforts of Alicia Balicoco Barker (48‎’‎) and Guro Reiten (Penalty-kick 53′).

Haug completed her hattrick with a tantalizing goal in the 90+4′ of the encounter. New Zealand became the first host nation in the annals of the competition to crash out at the group stage.

According to FIFA Fact -Check, Graham Hansen’s goal was struck from 29.8 metres out with a scorching speed of 77kmh.

The Atlas Lionesses scores historic first FIFA Women’s World Cup goal, pip Taegeuk Nangja 1-0

Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina runs after the ball during the Women’s World Cup Group H match against South Korea in Adelaide on Sunday, July 30, 2023

Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina becomes the first player to wear hijab in a World Cup match. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

Ibtissam Jraidi of Morocco prays after scoring her team’s first goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Korea Republic and Morocco at Hindmarsh Stadium. Photograph: Alex Pantling/FIFA/Getty Images

By Ed Emeanua

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses blazed a historic trail at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in their lone goal defeat of South Korea’s Taegeuk Nangja at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, on Sunday.

Hanane Ait El Haj scored Morocco’s history making initial world cup in the 6th minute of the pulsating tie in Australia, as well as aiding Lionesses to their first world cup win.

After Hong Hyeji’s giveaway in the 6th minute for a throw-in on the right, Ait El Haj thrusted in a tantalizing cross to the near post for Ibtissam Jraidi to get in front of her marker and glance her excellent header into the far corner for Morocco’s maiden World Cup goal! It was a stunning start for the North Africans.

The goal was totally against the run-of-play in a first half that was totally dominated by the fast paced Korean Women’s national side.

Before the goal, Morocco’s recalled Nouhaila Benzina set an historic occasion for women’s football on the day by becoming the first player ever to appear at the World Cup wearing hijab. The rule to allow the headcovering was made in 2014, and nine years later the Moroccan defender is the first lady to make use of it.

Following Morocco’s goal, Korea searched in vain for the early direct ball to feed to the powerful Eun-Sun Park, but Atlas Lionesses were more urgent to the second balls, extinguishing any danger on the ground even as they incessantly lost the aerial battle.

As the game wore on in the first half, contrasting styles in which the Moroccans were pinned down in defense of the lone goal in their end of the field, with sporadic bursts of counter attacking posture became evident.

Yet, it was the Moroccans who were creating the clearer opportunities to add to their lead having effectively denied the Taegeuk Nangja with their stoic defensive shape.

In the 20th minute, Korea’s defenders posed a bewildering picture as they appeared as if they did not want the ball anywhere near their end, but a bouncing ball in their direction from midfield forces them into an unscripted concerto to clear their lines. They rather did that so well, eventually, and led to their best move of the match with Sel-Gi Jang and So-Yun Ji linking well. The cross off the combination glances off Eun-Sun Park and drilled back across the face of goal but Hwa-Yeon Son could not divert it on target.

The first eventually screeched to the end with the Moroccan Ladies preserving their lone goal lead. It was a surprise scoreline at the break, but one Atlas Lionesses have earned. Morocco have created the better of the chances, and despite South Korea edging the possession in the latter parts of the half, Taegeuk Nangja have looked out of sorts and lacking in inspiration.

“The reality is we were not good enough in both games. Why that was, we have to analyze in detail. I’m not going to let my emotions take over now, and obviously we’re all very disappointed.

“The players are much better than they’ve shown in both matches and it really is almost unbelievable that we’ve performed like we have.”

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Our superwomen have given us huge bragging-Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Australia

Soaring Down Under: Defying the odds, Randy Waldrum guides Nigeria Super Falcons to stunning World Cup victory

By Rasheed Adewuyi

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency Anderson Madubike on Saturday reiterated that the Super Falcons have provided himself, officials of the Nigeria High Commission and indeed all members of the Nigerian community in Australia huge bragging rights with their win over the Matildas on Thursday evening.

“I can tell you that we are very happy. Now, we walk with a fresh spring in our steps anywhere we go in the whole of Australia. The Super Falcons have done us proud and we want them to continue winning,” Madubike said in Brisbane.

The seasoned diplomat, who alongside his mission staff have worked assiduously to mobilize Nigerians across the huge territory that is Australia to support and encourage the Super Falcons since they arrived here, spoke as he hosted some board members and Management staff of the NFF at a place nicknamed Little Lagos in Brisbane.

“What we have been doing for the team is nothing special; these are the things that any mission should do for a Nigerian team wherever they find themselves. However, we are overjoyed that our little efforts have not gone in vain. The Falcons are making us happy and we believe they can go all the way,” said Madubike, who previously served in South Africa and China.

In his response, NFF’s 1^st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu thanked the High Commissioner and his officials for being at the disposal of the team and going to lengths to support and encourage Nigeria’s campaign at the finals.

Also at the occasion were Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Alhaji Babagana Kalli (NFF Exco members); Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary); Mrs Mercy Clement (Deputy High Commissioner); Ademola Olajire (NFF Director of Communications); Dayo Enebi Achor (Deputy Director, Competitions) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).  

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Falcons’ captain Ebi says team is super positive ahead Irish clash

Captain Onome Ebi rejoices with Osinachi Ohale moments after her team shocked co-hosts Australia by a 3-2 defeat earlier this week in Australia

By Rasheed Adewuyi

History -making captain Onome Ebi says the Super Falcons are gingered and in a super positive mood ahead of Monday evening’s Group B cracker against Republic of Ireland at Brisbane’s Lang Park.

The 40 – year old became the one of the oldest women to have featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup when she was introduced into the game against co-hosts Australia at the same venue on Thursday. She’s also one of the few women, and the only one from the African continent, to have played in six finals, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.

“We are very positive and looking forward to the match. The mood in camp is great and everyone is in high spirits. The win against Australia has given us the belief and the confidence to face any team. We will play for a win.

“We want Nigerians all over the world to continue to support us and believe in the team. That alone gives us great motivation. We have won one match and drawn one. We want to set the record of not losing any match in the group phase and topping our group.”

When the Falcons reached the knock-out rounds in the USA in 1999, the team lost to hosts USA before defeating North Korea and Denmark to make the quarter-finals. Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike scored in the 2-1 win over North Korea, while Akide and Nkiru Okosieme scored in the 2-0 win over Denmark.

In 2019, when they reached the Round of 16, the nine-time African champions lost 0-3 to Norway and 0-1 to hosts France, on either side of a 2-0 defeat of South Korea, with Asisat Oshoala scoring after an own goal by the Koreans.

“We know we still have a job to do; we are not deterred. We simply go in there and play for a win,” Ebi added.

The Falcons, top of the pool with four points, take on the ‘Girls in Green” on Monday night starting from 8pm Australia time (11am Nigeria time) with the Irish already eliminated from the tournament.

Co-hosts Australia tackle Canada in the other match of the group that will be played simultaneously. The Canadians are also on four points, with the Matildas on three.

With a win in mind, Nigeria could start with a forward-line of record-breaker Asisat Oshoala, and Uchenna Kanu (who scored the first goal against Australia), with Rasheedat Ajibade and Ifeoma Onumonu operating from the wings.

FIFA Women’s World Cup  2023: As spirited Ireland crashes out at Group stage

It’s an early exit for Ireland as they lose to Canada in a closely fought contest in Perth. Photograph: Aitor Alcalde/FIFA/Getty Images

By Ed Emeanua

Line Ups

Canada XI: Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Quinn, Grosso; Huitema, Fleming, Leon; Viens

Ireland XI: Brosnan; Fahey, Louise Quinn, Connolly; Payne, O’Sullivan, Littlejohn, McCabe; Farrelly, Carusa, Lucy

Canada Women’s national team roared back from a goals down in Australia to defeat hard fighting Ireland 2-1 at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup at Perth Rectangular Stadium, Australia on Wednesday.

Ireland has now crashed out of the Group of Death and the FIFA Women’s World cup after losing two straight group games, the second, against Canada.

While Canada’s first game at the Women’s World Cup ended in a goalless draw with Nigeria, the Ireland lost their Group’s opening game by a lone goal to Australia

Bev Priestman calls for calm in the Canadian team. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/INPHO/Shutterstock

Vera Pauw’s side will now regroup to face host Nigeria in their last group game which will be a mere formality match for the Irish women but could still bode much more significance for their African opponent.

The match got off to a terrific start for the Irish, who took the lead when Katie McCabe scored directly from a corner in the opening 3 minutes. Canada scored on either side of the half to thaw the opponet’s resistance and secure victory over the Republic of Ireland!

Bev Priestman’s Canada looked out of sorts in a poor first half, but managed to find the equalizer with a rather lucky goal that Ireland should not have conceded.

However, a different Canada side emerged after the break, with head coach Priestman ringing the changes and bringing in Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt and Shelina Zadorsky, who immediately made the difference. With Canada now on the ascendancy, Adrianna Leon scored when Ireland failed to convincingly deal with a pesky through ball behind their defense.

With the final whistle came the realization that it’s all over in Perth, where Canada successfully terminated Ireland’s interest in their very first ever World Cup. The win materialized from an resurgent second half showing from the Olympic champions.

But the Irish will take home with them the consolation of a valiant performance but the lesson of the concession of two very sloppy goals that cost them dearly.

Ireland’s remaining group game of the tournament against Nigeria will, for them at least, be nothing more than a dead rubber but a win will be gladdening.