Sports
Falcons Fall 2-0 To Japan In Friendly
Nigeria’s Super Falcons
were beaten 2-0 by Japan in the first of a two-game friendly series in Nagasaki on Sunday.
Chelsea forward Ogimi Yuki scored the opener in the 36th minute and Kawasumi Nahomi added a second in the 53rd minute.
Playing before a crowd of 15,206 at the Track and Field Stadium in Nagasaki Prefectural Sports and Recreational Park, Nadeshiko boss Sasaki Norio welcomed back veteran forward Homare Sawa for the first time in seven matches.
But the coach also threw on two debutants in centre back against a Nigerian team that looked short of full conditioning after a long trip.
Sawa teamed up with Miyama Aya in midfield and helped dictate the pace.
In the early part of the game, the new-look backline was tested by the visitors as the Nigerians went on the attack. Nigeria came close three minutes into the game when Esther Sunday hit from the edge of the box. In the 17th minute, the 21-year-old attacker hit the bar from mid-range.
The Nadeshiko ladies responded well to enjoy the greater possession, and with Nakajima Emi coming off the bench midway through the half, the home players found a better rhythm in attack.
Forward Takase Megumi came close with a back-heeled attempt in the 29th minute, while Nakajima hit a shot in the 35th minute that was kept out by Nigeria goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte.
But Japan’s efforts paid off a minute later as Ogimi took a Miyama pass and slotted home.
Japan went on to attack after the break, with Maruyama Karina coming off the bench for Ogimi at halftime. Sawa, Maruyama and Kamionobe made good attempts before Kawasumi reacted well to a Maruyama rebound in the area to make it 2-0 for Japan in the 53rd minute.
Nigeria lost their momentum but gave the home side a scare in the 68th minute when tall forward Uchechi Sunday attacked on a counter and cut into the area. But 17-year-old Nadeshiko newcomer Miyake came to the rescue with a good interception.
The Nigerians tried to rally late in the second half and Blessing Edoho dribbled inside to hit from the edge of the box three minutes from time, but Kaihiro Ayumi made no mistake in goal.
The second game of the series will be held tomorrow night at Fukuda Denshi Arena in Chiba.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.