'Stubborn Nigerian defensive unit' - Chelsea admit Super Falcons 'frustrated their opponents'

English club Chelsea monitored proceedings at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (Melbourne) on Friday morning as the Super Falcons upset the form guide by holding reigning Olympic champions Canada to a goalless draw in their 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup opener. 

Flamboyant Canada coach Beverly Priestman picked two Chelsea players, Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, in her starting lineup, with both going the distance. 

To Nigeria's advantage, Canada's superstar Jessie Fleming, who is also on the books of Chelsea, failed a fitness test ahead of the game and remained rooted to the substitutes' bench for the entirety of the contest. 

Hardworking Nigerian midfielder Deborah Abiodun was rightly sent off in the eighth minute of stoppage time when her yellow card was upgraded to a red after a rudimentary tackle on Chelsea left-back Lawrence. 

Despite the Canadians dominating possession in the first half, Nigeria showed flashes of brilliance and could have taken the lead against the run of play in the 35th minute but Asisat Oshoala's pass towards the middle was blocked by the Chelsea defender. 

Reviewing the game on their official website, Chelsea highlighted that the Super Falcons frustrated their opponents.

"They came up against a stubborn Nigerian defensive unit who were determined to frustrate their opponents, resulting in a goalless game that leaves the two sides joint second in Group B, two points behind hosts Australia, who beat the Republic of Ireland in their first match," the Blues wrote. 

Next Thursday, the Super Falcons face co-hosts Australia, who will be without the injured Chelsea striker Sam Kerr. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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