The Super Falcons of Nigeria held the Canadian women’s national team to a hard fought goalless affair in the second opening group B fixture played at the Melbourne rectangle stadium.

Despite being pegged back for much of the game, the Falcons produced a disciplined performance to see the game through. They also had Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to thank as her spot kick saved earned them a valuable point

The Olympic champions were by far the better outfit in the first 20 minutes, keeping the ball very well as the Nigerians defended very deep. During those early minutes f dominance, the first real chance not surprisedly fell to the Canadians.

Veteran forward Christine Sinclair had a clear sight of goal from the top of the 18 yard box but we’ll hit enough sailed over and we’ll off the mark. The Canadian kept probing in a bid to find the much needed opening but the Nigerians held fell without seeing much of the ball.

however, the Super Falcons stepped up and started to trouble their opponents after the 1st 20 minutes of the encounter and should have taking the lead in the 22nd minutes. Ifeoma Onumonu’s we’ll hit effort pushed away to safety by Kailen Sheridan in goal for Canada.

From that point on, the Nigerians made it a fairly balanced game ,giving as much as they got but the scoreline remain the same by the time the first half came to an end.

The Canadians like they did at the start of the game, started the second half in a Blitz and should have taken early lead but Christine Sinclair saw her spot kick saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal for Nigeria.

Canada continued their press for the opener but for every time they tried to create something, the Nigerians stood firm . Like they did in the first half, the Nigerians grew into the contest yet again in the last few minutes of the second half, giving as much as they took from the Canadians.

The west Africans finished the contest with 10 men following the expulsion of Deborah Abiodun – with the Canadian failing to take advantage of the numerical advantage they had in the last few seconds of the game.