Sports

Olympics: Valiant Falcons Fall To World Champions Spain

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will continue the search for their first points of the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament against Japan on Wednesday, but the nine-time African champions deserve credit for holding out for 85 minutes against world champions Spain before conceding a lone goal that handed the Europeans all the three points in Nantes on Sunday.

Spain dominated possession, expectedly, and only a masterclass defensive performance by the Falcons restricted them to the odd-goal win. Yet, it could have turned out differently, had captain Rasheedat Ajibade not lose her balance when through on goal in the 36th minute, and had substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo not waste too much time deciding what to do with the ball when she had only the goalkeeper to beat in added time.

For some parts of the game, the Falcons looked dangerous on the break, including in the 23rd minute when Esther Okoronkwo’s shot was pushed away by the goalkeeper when she latched on to a pass from Ajibade, and in the 65th minute when Ajibade lifted the ball a little too high when running into a backpass by Asisat Oshoala. Oshoala herself could have made hay with 18 minutes left, but she went to pass when it appeared easier to go for the kill.

Earlier in the second half, Salma Paralluelo had the ball in the net as she bundled past Nnadozie from a corner kick, but she was ruled offside. With nine minutes to go, Osinachi Ohale cleared from the line as Alexia Putellas, who had been thwarted severally by Nnadozie, struck from just outside the box.

The winner came in the 85th minute, when the ubiquitous Putellas heaved the ball past Nnadozie straight from a free-kick on the left side of the Nigeria defence.

Defeat means the Falcons remain pointless in the tournament, and must achieve a win against Japan at the same venue on Wednesday to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.  

Follow us on:

AriseNews

View Comments

  • THE MARKETING OFFICER OmarON (O8O 6739 9O9O ) AUCTION AUCTION AUCTION !!!!!!. THE NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE
    AUCTION IS TAKING PLACE HERE, WE MAKE DELIVERY TO ALL STATES IN NIGERIA
    WE SELL GOODS LIKE :
    VEHICLES
    BAGS OF RICE
    BALES OF CLOTHES
    VEGITABLES OIL ETC. ALSO THE REPLACEMENT FROM IS OUT NOW,
    THOSE ARE THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW WITH THEIR PRICE
    GOLF ,2 3 4,= 400,000 to 550,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY BIG DADDY = 700,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY TINY LIGHT = 450,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY MUZZLE =1m800,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY SPIDER =1m900,000
    TOYOTA VENZA = 1.8 MILLION
    TOYOTA AVENSIS =1m650,000
    TOYOTA AVALON = 1.2 MILLION
    TOYOTA Hilux = 1.3 MILLION
    TOYOTA SIENNA = 750,000
    TOYOTA RAV4 = 1.6 MILLION
    TOYOTA 4RUNNER= 1. MILLION
    TOYOTA TUNDRA = 2. MILLION
    TOYOTA PICNIC = 650,000
    TOYOTA HIGHLANDER = 1.6 MILLION
    TOYOTA COROLLA = 750,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA SPORT= 900,000
    TOYOTA PRADO= 2. MILLION
    TOYOTA MATRIX = 650,000
    TOYOTA LANDCRUISSER = 2. MILLION
    TOYOTA YARIS = 1.1 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIACE BUS = 3.5 MILLION
    ACURA MDX = 1.6 MILLION
    ACURA ZDX=2.3 MILLION
    HONDA ACCORD= 650,000
    HONDA PILOT = 1. MILLION
    HONDA BABY BOY =550,000
    LEXUS RX300 1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330 1.9 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350 2.2 MILLION
    INFINITY FX35= 1.2 MILLION INFINITY FX45=1.5 MILLION
    NISSAN MURANO = 1 MILLION
    NISSAN PATHFINDER =1.6 MILLION
    ETC ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT THE MARKETING OFFICER-IN-CHARGE ON (O8O 6739 9O9O )

Recent Posts

109 Foreign Nationals Remanded in Kuje, Suleja Correctional Centres Over Alleged Cybercrime in Nigeria

The Federal High court in Abuja has remanded 109 foreign nationals in correctional centres over…

20 mins ago

NCAA Renews Aerodrome Certificates For Abuja and Lagos Airports

The NCAA has renewed the Aerodrome certificates of Nnamdi Azikiwe and Murtala Muhammed airports, reflecting…

25 mins ago

Wike Defends Judiciary Quarters Project, Says Criticism Won’t Distract Him From Working

FCT Minister Wike has said he has no regrets over the construction of judiciary quarters…

47 mins ago

Nigerian Government Conforms Arrest Of Simon Ekpa, Promises To Monitor Legal Proceedings

The Nigerian government has confirmed Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland, promising to provide updates as…

51 mins ago

Obasanjo: Nigeria Must Overcome The ‘Great Monster’ That Is Corruption To Make Progress

Obasanjo, at the funeral of former ICPC Chairman Olayinka Ayoola, said that Nigeria must fight…

54 mins ago

Court of Appeal Reserves Judgement on Fubara’s Suit Appealing Halting Of Rivers Monthly Allocations

The Appeal Court has reserved its judgement as Governor Fubara challenged the ruling halting allocations…

2 hours ago