FIFA 2023 WWC… Nigeria advance, Zambia out
Nigeria drew 0-0 with Ireland on Monday to seal their place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup and a likely date with England.
The stalemate left Nigeria second behind co-hosts, Australia, in Group B, meaning they will meet the winner of England’s Group D.
European champions, England, face China today, needing only a draw to top the group.
Nigeria, who stunned Australia 3-2 on their last visit to Brisbane, recovered from a sloppy first half to get the draw they needed and reach the knockout stage for only the third time in nine attempts.
The Nigerians showed little of the flair that helped them down Australia in the last match, particularly during a scrappy first half during which they were outfought by an Ireland side only playing for pride after two losses.
Barcelona’s Oshoala had only one chance in the first 45 minutes and should have put her side in front after latching onto a terrible back pass from Louise Quinn and finding herself one on one with keeper, Courtney Brosnan.
But her shot just missed to the right-hand post and Ireland were off the hook.
Zambia also defeated Costa Rica 3-1 to exit the competition on a winning note in Hamilton, yesterday.
“It was not an easy game for us. But it was the one that wanted it most that carried the day, which
is a plus for us,” said Babara Banda, skipper of the Zambian team said at the post-match press conference.
“We’ve worked so hard as a team. And we really wanted to win on our last game, looking at the previous games that we have played. We’ve lost those the games. So going into this game, we were very determined that we just had to carry that.”
Banda scored the second goal for Zambia, which was from the penalty spot, and was the 1 000th in the history of the Women’s World Cup.
Banda was nervous taking the spot kick but converted easily as Zambia went 2-0 up at halftime. –Supersports
