Nigeria: Germany 2011 – Falcons Crash Out of World Cup

1 July 2011

Falcons players, Onome Ebi, Ebere Orji and Nkwocha sandwich German star, Birgit Prinz during Thursday’s game in Frankfurt, which they lost 1-0 Super Falcons’ campaign to progress into the next round of the 2011 FIFA Women World Cup effectively ended Thursday night with a 1-0 loss to hosts Germany inside the Frankfurt stadium.

A lone goal by Simone Laudehr with just nine minutes into the second half made the difference between the winners and losers.

With this second defeat, after losing their opening game by the same margin to France makes their last group game against Canada meaningless except for prestige sake. Canada too are in the same boat as the Falcons having also conceded their second defeat in the group to France 4-0 earlier in the day.

For Falcons’ coach, Eucharia Uche, the failure here has not only put a question mark on her competence as a coach but puts her job on the line.

Germany made an early statement of intent of topping the group as star player, Birgit Prinz set Simone Laudehr free, but goalkeeper Precious Dede reacted quickly to make the save. The hosts dominated possession early and Kim Kulig’s shot from outside the penalty area had Dede again called into action.

The Falcons reacted well in the attack with Rita Chikwelu stealing possession in midfield. But Sarah Michael was unable to deliver a precise square ball with the retreating German defence stretched.

The African champions, who had overcome their initial fright, got into the game, gaining in confidence while the home side were occasionally guilty of sloppy passing much to the chagrin of their coach, Silvia Neid, who sometimes cut an animated presence on the sideline.

The German coach’s mood would not have improved just past the half hour mark as midfielder Melanie Behringer was forced to leave the field with what appeared to be a serious injury. Behringer’s misfortune allowed a hero of the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Alexandra Popp, to enter the fray.

The half concluded with Nigerian starlet Ebere Orji firing an effort from 18 metres, which missed the goal by just a metre or so.

The home side’s concerns were eased nine minutes into the second half as the deadlock was finally broken. Defensive midfielder Simone Laudehr collected a deserved reward for a hard-working display after thrashing home a loose ball from 12 metres with Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi’s free-kick causing havoc in the penalty area.

Nigeriato their credit retained their composure and Germany often only caused danger with long-range efforts at set-pieces. Kulig was again notable for her long-range shooting though without being able to test Dede.

AllAfrica – All the Time