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Tag: FIFA WC

  • 2023 FIFA Women’s WC: Oshoala, Ordega rue misses as Super Falcons play goalless with Canada

    2023 FIFA Women’s WC: Oshoala, Ordega rue misses as Super Falcons play goalless with Canada

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons early this morning drew goalless with current Olympic champions Canada to open group play at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    The world’s all-time leading international scorer Christine Sinclair failed to convert a penalty for Canada in the encounter as both teams settled for a point each.

    The referee pointed to the spot after Sinclair was clipped in the Nigerian box on a dribbling move early in the second half. With regular penalty taker Jessie Fleming on the bench carrying an injury, Sinclair stepped up herself and watched Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie make the sure-handed stop.

    Ranked number 7 in the world, the Canadians were the favorites against No. 40-Nigeria, but they couldn’t get many clear looks during the match as the Nigerians defended stoutly, often with last-ditch emergency defending that proved effective. The penalty could have been the turning point for Canada.

    Nigeria enjoyed several positive spells in the game and caused the Canadians more than a few headaches. Canada defenders made key plays and ‘keeper Kailen Sheridan came up with a couple of stops of her own to keep the Super Falcons at bay.

    Francesca Ordega and Asisat Oshoala had few chances to put the game to bed but they weren’t converted.

    However, in the other group B encounter co-hosts Australia defeated Republic of Ireland by a lone goal to go top of the group.

    Super Falcons will face Australia on Tuesday for the second group B encounter.

     

     

  • New Zealand stun Norway 1-0 as FIFA senior women’s World Cup begins

    New Zealand stun Norway 1-0 as FIFA senior women’s World Cup begins

     

    The 2023 FIFA women’s world Cup began with a lots of frenzy and exciting football moments with one of the co hosts of the tournament New Zealand grabbing its first win in the World cup’s history.

     New Zealand shocked Norway 1-0 in Auckland, thanks to a stunning Hannah Wilkinson stunning goal just after half-time.

    For so long, winning a World Cup game had proved to be an elusive goal for New Zealand. The Football Ferns’ previous five appearances in women’s tournaments had yielded not a single victory while the men also have not secured a win in their two World Cup appearances.

    New Zealand have played more Women’s World Cup matches without winning than any other country in the tournament’s history (P15; D3, L12).

    In the 48th minute, there was  a rapid break down the right, Wilkinson lashed on to a cross from the  flank and colly slotted the ball past the Norwegian goalie for the only goal of the encounter

    The goal threw Eden Park into wild jubilations from the home fans.

    Her goal ensured New Zealand’s first-ever World Cup victory in its sixth visit to women’s soccer’s showcase event.

  • Argentina 2023: Win World Cup, become landowners – Wammako promises Flying Eagles

    Argentina 2023: Win World Cup, become landowners – Wammako promises Flying Eagles

    Each member of the Nigeria squad to this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina will become owner of a five-metre square plot of land if the team emerges champions of the ongoing tournament in South America.

    A stakeholder of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Aliyu Oroje Wammako made this pledge in Mendoza, Argentina on Tuesday, on the eve of the team’s crucial second game against Italy.

    Wammako, who is the President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, made this known on Tuesday afternoon when he visited the team’s camp at Hyatt Park Hotel in Mendoza. He further charged the players to be focused ahead of the game against Italy and implored them to play as a unit.

    ” I urge you to keep focus in this tournament and I pledge to give five-metre square plot of land in the Federal Capital, Abuja to each and every player if the team emerges as winners of the FIFA U20 World Cup. In the absence of triumph, I will still support the team with an amount of money that will go round everyone including the officials.

    “Nigerians are hoping and praying for you and we all believe you can do it.”

    Also speaking, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed who spoke on behalf of leader of delegation, Sharif Rabi’u Inuwa praised the Flying Eagles come-back win against the Dominican Republic on Sunday .

    The two-time World Cup silver medallists tackle Italy’s U20 boys on Wednesday at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza in search of another three points in the group phase.

  • Qatar 2022: Poland beat Rolls Royce promised Saudi Arabians 2-0

    Qatar 2022: Poland beat Rolls Royce promised Saudi Arabians 2-0

    After playing out a 0-0 draw with Mexico in their opening group B clash with Mexico, Poland secured their first win against of the Mundial against Saudi Arabia courtesy of goals from Maty Cash and Lewandowsky.

    Wojciech Szczesny finds Matty Cash, who volleys forward.

    He takes a couple of steps forward and crosses low into the box for Robert Lewandowski then passed to Piotr Zielinski who drills into the roof of the net.

    Against the run of play  but it was superbly-worked goal.

    However, the Saudis had an opportunity to turn it around when they were given a penalty in the 44th minute, but

    It’s not the best penalty from Salem Al Dawsari and Wojciech Szczesny is able to get down low to his right and keep it out. The follow-up is met by Mohammed Al Burayk but his effort is tipped over the bar brilliantly by Szczesny.

    It was a  nightmare for Abdulelah Al Malki and Saudi Arabia. He takes a heavy touch and is robbed by Robert Lewandowski.

    The 34-year-old composes himself and just slots under the keeper and into the bottom corner.

    The Barcelona forward finds the the net first time in five World Cup games for Poland.

    The result meant Poland will top the group pending when Argentina and Mexico will play.

    Earlier the Saudi government had promised to give each Saudi player a Rolls Royce should they defeat Poland.

  • Qatar 2022: Fans fume at England’s coach, Southgate for benching Trent for Trippier

    Qatar 2022: Fans fume at England’s coach, Southgate for benching Trent for Trippier

    English fans in Qatar have fumed at coach, Gareth Southgate for always fielding Newcastle Kieran Trippier at the right back position instead of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    USA were much the better team in the first 45 minutes of their Group B clash on Friday night, with Trippier’s right side dominated by Christian Pulisic. The second half didn’t get much better, with the teams sharing the spoils 0-0.

    Alexander-Arnold is a starting right back at Liverpool and as he sat and watched on from the bench, fans called into question Southgate’s judgement for selecting Trippier ahead of the Merseyside star.

    @Klopptinho said, Give me a valid reason why Trippier is starting ahead of Trent Arnold.

    @TJ  noted Ridiculous to have that creative player on the pitch and filed Harry upfront.

    @ Dino CFC wrote, You can’t tell me Trent isn’t better than Trippier.

     

  • Qatar 2022: Senegal defeats Qatar 3-1 to revive qualification hopes

    Qatar 2022: Senegal defeats Qatar 3-1 to revive qualification hopes

    Senegal recorded Africa’s first win at the Mundial after beating the host nation Qatar by 3-1 in the second group A encounter.

    After playing goalless for the most part of the first half, succour came the way of the Teranga Lions  in the 41st minute. Khouckhi miskicked a clearance inside the area, slipped and Dia pounced on a loose ball to tap in Senegal first goal of the game.

    Meanwhile both teams charged at eachother to get a goal but luck again smile on the West African side.

    In the 51st minute, Diedhiou advances to the near post, escapes his marker and angles a fine header into the opposite top corner for Senegal’s second goal of the encounter.

    In the 77th, a lovely ball found  Mohamad on the right and his accurate cross was headed down and firmly to the right of Senegal’s goalie, Mendy and into the right corner for Qatar’s first World Cup goal ever.

    There was a smart  interplay on the right leading to a good low cross from Iliman Ndiaye to Dieng inside the box, who turned and drove low and firmly under the keeper for the West African’s third goal inside 88th minute.

    After 90 minutes plus additional time, Senegal secures its first win that will boost its chances of qualification to the round of 16 at the mundial.

    The result meant Senegal climb to the top of the table pending the outcome of the game between Netherlands and Ecuador.

  • Qatar 2022: Partey, Inaki headline Black stars’ 26-man squad

    Qatar 2022: Partey, Inaki headline Black stars’ 26-man squad

    Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo has released a 26-man squad list for the Black Stars ahead of the FIFA World Cup tournament billed for Qatar.

    Arsenal’s Thomas Parter,  Bilbao’s Inaki Williams are among the big stars for the occasion.

    Ghana are in Group H of the Qatar 2022 World Cup with Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.

    Recall that the Super Eagles of Nigeria was knocked out of the qualifying series  by the Ghanaian team at the National Stadium in Abuja,

    The Black stars last featured at the mundial in South Africa 2010 where they reached the quarter-final stage.

    Check out the team list

    Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, Ibrahim Danlad.

    Defenders: Denis Odoi, Alidu Seidu, Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul Rahman Baba, Gideon Mensah

    Midfielder/Wingers: Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdul Samed, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Kamal Sowah, Osman Bukari, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana

    Strikers: Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew