Sports
Why Falcons lost to US —Okon
BY LUKMAN OLOGUNRO
Coach Edwin Okon has attributed a momentary loss of focus as reason why Nigeria lost to the USA declaring the Super Falcons have learnt invaluable lessons from leaving the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Speaking at a post-match news conference Tuesday, Okon said the team had gained experience at the competition.
The Falcons lost 0-1 to the U.S. in Vancouver on Tuesday in their final Group D game to crash out of the competition.
“We weren’t focused enough in a few situations today (Tuesday). And, I wasn’t surprised to see the U.S. make substitutions that were more defensive after our sending-off as they knew they were playing a good team.
Nigeria, which had looked like a team that can cause upset at the tournament following their impressive 3-3 draw with Sweden in their opening match finished bottom of the group with a point scoring three goals and conceding twice the number.
“It was a great experience for us here in Canada,” Okon said.
He, however, said his team lost focus, and the U.S. only needed to hold on to their lead after Nigeria were reduced to 10 players later on during the match.
The match at Vancouver was settled by an Abby Wambach volley seconds before half-time earned USA a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Vancouver, 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