Women’s World Cup: Falcons get off to good start, draw Canada

Nigeria’s Super Falcons fought to a gallant goalless draw in their opening match against Olympic champions Canada, with goalkeeper and captain Chiamaka Nnadozie the hero after stopping Christine Sinclair’s second-half penalty.

In Nigeria’s 27th match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons ran out on the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as the clear underdogs to Olympic champions Canada in their fluorescent lime green kit.

The legendary Sinclair, 40, led the Canadians, and with 190 international goals, were straight in the ascendancy.

Coach Randy Waldrum elected to leave out his 40-year-old captain, Onome Ebi, and the team was without the suspended duo of midfield tyro Halimatu Ayinde and in-form forward Rasheedat Ayinde.

Ashleigh Plumptre’s back-pass to Nnadozie was almost pounced on in the third minute as the Falcons started nervously. Francisca Ordega defended well in her box in the fifth, with Adriana Leon asking the referee to decide in her favour.

Demehin’s tame clearance in the 92nd minute created a goal-scoring chance for the Canadians, but the 21-year-old made quick amends with a last-ditch tackle to deny the chance.

Abiodun was shown a straight red card in the sixth minute of an additional eight minutes for a leg-breaking tackle on Lawrence, but despite a deluge of crosses into the Nigerian box, the Falcons held on for a valuable point.

Their next match is against hosts Australia next Thursday at the Brisbane Stadium at 11 a.m.