Falcons lose 0-1 to US, crash out of W’Cup

The Super Falcons lost 0-1 to the US in Vancouver at
the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, finishing
fourth in Group D and crashing out of the competition.
An Abby Wambach volley seconds before half-
time earned USA a 1-0 victory over Nigeria, which sent
them through as Group D winners and eliminated their
opponents.
A well balanced first 45 minutes finally fell in the
Americans’ favour when Wambach struck Megan
Rapinoe’s corner home at the far post.
Earlier, Julie Johnston thought she gave the Stars and
Stripes the lead, but her finish was ruled offside. Asisat
Oshoala had the best chance for Nigeria 24 minutes in,
but Johnston executed a perfectly timed tackle to
interrupt the African’s shot.
Rapinoe threatened Dede’s goal twice from long range,
and Alex Morgan nearly doubled the Americans’ lead
just after the interval but couldn’t lift it over the Super
Falcons No1. Dede once again denied the American
No13 with 30 minutes remaining.
Things became harder for Nigeria in the 69th minute,
when Sarah NNodim picked up her second yellow card
as a result of bringing down Sydney Leroux just outside
the area. With their numerical advantage intact, USA
kept possession well, with smart, experienced play
delighting a significant majority of the 52,193 crowd at
BC Place.