Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria’s Super Falcons quest to repeat the feat attained by their 1999 predecessors squad that reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in USA came to a disappointing end on Monday as they lost 4-2 on penalties to England after extra time at the Brisbane stadium, Australia.
European champions, England, came into the game as overwhelming favorites by bookmakers albeit they had a not-too- convincing group stage.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Falcons created numerous chance in the first half but failed to convert them.
In the second half, head coach England had more of the possessions but their chances to win the game in 90 minutes when star player, Lauren James, was sent off for stamping her foot on the backside of Gloria Alozie.
James, who has been tipped as a likely winner of the Golden Ball in the tournament was initially handed a yellow card for a foul on the Michigan-born Nigerian left back.
However, her punishment was upgraded after a review of the action on the VAR monitor.
The game went into extra time but the Nigerians were unable to make their numerical advantage count despite getting close to breaking the ice.
In the penalty shootout, late substitute, Desire Oparanozie, and Gloria Alozie missed their kickswhils Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe scored theirs.
Sadly for the nine-time African champions, despite the Three Lionesses missing their first kick, they scored the next four to e liminate the Falcons.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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