Waldrum proud of Super Falcons after USA defeat

Head coach of Nigeria Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum says he is proud of his side after their 0-2 loss to the United States of America (USA) in the early hours of Thursday.

Nigeria’s women national team put up a strong defensive display against the high flying Americans but were undone by late goals in each half of the game watched by a sold-out crowd at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Christen Press gave USA the lead in the second minute of first half stoppage time after a piece of hesitant defending by Glory Ogbonna allowed Carli Lloyd to slip Press through.

The African champions continued their strong defensive showing in the second half but once again conceded late on, in stoppage time when late substitute Lynn William’s rounded impressive goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi to score.

In his reaction after the game, Waldrum says he is proud of his players in spite of the loss.

“I’m proud of their performance,” began Waldrum.

“We obviously had to defend more and we knew we would against the US but considering where they are in their preparation and a few weeks from the Olympics and they’re in top form and our team is just beginning and considering the lateness of players getting here, not having the full squad here, the professionalism of the players in this tournament is something I am extremely proud of and I thought they gave a great effort there tonight.

“They gave a goal up in the 46th minute and a goal late in the 94th minute and played very competitive game against the top team in the world so I’m extremely pleased with them,” he added.

While the Americans used the Summer Series tournament to prepare for their engagement at the Tokyo Olympics, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will hope that it was a worthy experience to go into the Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Ghana.

Nigeria XI vs USA:

Tochukwu Oluehi; Michelle Alozie, Chidinma Okeke, Onome Ebi, Glory Ogbonna (Monday Gift 78′); Rita Chikwelu (Charity Adule 80′), Rasheedat Ajibade, Ijeoma Okoronkwo (Akudo Ogbonna 65′); Francisca Ordega (Ifeoma Onumonu 70′), Toni Payne, Asisat Oshoala.