Super Falcons of Nigeria fought valiantly but eventually lost by a controversial video assistant referee (VAR) call to host nation France on Monday in Rennes as the curtain was drawn on Group A of the 8thFIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
After a listless first half that produced no shot on goal from either side, the French came into the second period with greater urgency, but still could not find a way past a determined rearguard of Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Ngozi Ebere and Nnadozie.
Eventually, it was Ebere whose awakward touch on an advancing Asseyi got France the penalty that separated both teams and earned the host nation the maximum nine points from their three group games for the first time in their history of participation in the World Cup.
Centre –back Wendy Renard drove the ball past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie at the second time of trying in the 78th minute of a well –attended encounter at the 28,000 –capacity Roazhon Park. Renard bundled the first kick against the upright but Nnadozie was adjudged to have moved both feet off the goal-line before the kick (contravention of a new rule), and was penalized.
This decision however didn’t sit well with a lot of fans who showed displeasure at the new rule.
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It is however not over for the Super Falcons of Nigeria as the four best third –placed teams in the six groups will join the two top –placed teams in each group in the Round of 16.
So depending on how results from Tuesday’s games pan out, the Super Falcons might have just done enough to seal a place in the next round.
