Falconets begin World Cup with Mexico draw

Nigeria U-20 women national team, the Super Falconets, opened their account at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada with a 1-1 draw with Mexico at the Moncton Stadium, Moncton.

Mexico took the lead in the 23rd minute as Fabiola Ibarra slotted home from 20 metres after an inadequately headed clearance from Nigeria goalkeeper, Sandra Chichi, who was attempting to nullify a swift counter-attack.

With the game approaching half-time, Nigeria drew level when Osarenoma Igbinovia made the most of a defensive error to shoot the ball from distance high into the corner of Cecilia Santiago’s goal.

Nigeria defeated Mexico 1-0 in the last tournament in Japan at quarter-final stage and on resumption of the second-half, looked likely to inflict further pain on their rivals creating numerous chances.

Asisat Oshoala was the main attacking threat and was denied a goal by Santiago who made a good save of her effort. Oshoala’s pass to Courtney Dike was not well read by the player who failed to arrive in time to put Nigeria a goal up.

Ugo Njoku’s header from a Loveth Ayila’s corner went wide before Mexico’s best chance of the second half arrived with 15 minutes left. Tania Samarzich dribbled past two opponents, only to shoot wide with the goalkeeper at her mercy.

Oshoala was in a similar position in the dying minutes but she also shot wide when faced with Santiago.

All teams in Group C now have a point each after England and Korea Republic played out a 1-1 draw earlier.

Peter Dedevbo’s ladies will face Korea Republic in their second game of the tournament on Saturday while Mexico will meet England on the same day.

Quotes

There are some matches that, although you expect to win, you can’t manage to do so, and I’m a little bit disappointed today. But it was a good fight between the two teams. I have to say that Mexico’s goalkeeper, Cecilia Santiago, is impressive and produced a good performance today. Looking ahead to the next match, I want to work on every position on the field – goalkeeper, defence, midfield, but the most important thing we need to improve on is our finishing – Peter Dedevbo, Nigeria coach.

Mexico have played several times with Nigeria in several categories and we knew this was going to be a very physical game, so we told the girls not to back down. It was a tough match with chances for both sides and it’s always nice to start with a positive result. Obviously it would have been better getting the three points, but starting a tournament with a draw was not bad either, especially when, like today, it’s a tight match – Christopher Cuellar, Mexico coach.