Familiar mistakes condemn Nigeria to defeat against Spain

[iworo]

Familiar mistakes condemn Nigeria to defeat against Spain

By Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN



Nigeria only needed to hold on for five more minutes to come away with a point, or even three, from their encounter with world champions Spain. But poor finishing, and one moment of switch-off at the back saw them condemned to a second straight defeat at the Olympic Games -- and contemplating the prospect of a third early exit in four Games.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was heroine and villain. She made a superb save from point blank range, only to allow Alexia Putella's freekick to sail in over her from bad positioning.

After the 1-0 loss to Brazil, Randy Waldrum made two changes to his starting lineup for the clash against the world's top-ranked team. Star forward Asisat Oshoala, who did not see action against Brazil, was restored to the lineup along with Esther Okoronkwo.

Still, the shine was on Deborah Abiodun, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and, as usual, Nnadozie for the most part, until her late error.

Same mistakes, different day

Waldrum honed in on two key elements for his players going into this tournament -- taking their chances when they get them and staying switched on for the full 90 minutes.

The American's strategy was to cede possession and play on the counter

"We are playing the world champions, Brazil and Japan," he told ESPN before the tournament. "All three teams very good with ball possession and their attacking movements.

"We're going to have to be very disciplined defensively and a lot of our play is going to have to come from counter attacking because we haven't had the time together that those teams have to really develop a game model to where we're really confident in keeping the ball against them."

To make it work, Waldrum said his players would have to be efficient with their few opportunities.

"We've got to really hone in on that and work a little bit more on our counter, be a little bit more clinical and efficient around the goal. I understand that a lot of people have been saying we're missing chances, we need goal scorers and things and I get it. But you know at least if you can keep a clean sheet you're going to always have a chance," he added.

To be fair, the team have been pretty good in keeping the opposition at bay. Letting in just one goal each against Brazil and Spain is progress, especially the organized way they did it.

Their failing has been on the efficiency front.

Just like against Brazil, they created multiple chances on the break to tie, and even win the game.

Ajibade was played through on goal by the returning Oshoala but lost her nerve, took a heavy touch and stumbled at a critical moment. Chinwendu Ihezuo, who subbed in for Oshoala, had her own chance in the 90th minute, coming one on one with the goalkeeper and hitting the ball straight at Cata Coll. There were also opportunities for Okoronkwo and Oshoala, but none were converted.

"We had three to four good opportunities," said Waldrum said after the game. "Regrettably, we did not convert them. We had one in the first half, a breakaway and Asisat and Rash missed those chances. Regrettably, the Spanish converted theirs."

Waldrum must be wondering what else he has to do to get his wards scoring goals.

Asisat returns but can't save Nigeria



There were many who were perplexed by Waldrum's decision to leave Oshoala out of the starting lineup against Brazil -- and not to give her any minutes in at all.

He answered by restoring her to the team, but precious little changed. The Bay FC forward did impact the game in one moment, when her visionary pass over the top found Ajibade in space and through on goal, but it was not to be.

Oshoala herself got into a good position later in the half, but could not find a finish. In the second half, her intelligent cutback found Ajibade again, who blazed inches over from just inside the box. She was eventually hooked for Ihezuo, as Waldrum ended up throwing on the full complement of his attacking stock on the field, with Ify Onumonu, Ihezuo and Uchenna Kanu all making their way into the game.

Big players show up when the going gets tough, The Super Falcons have a slim chance of advancing to the next round if they can get a win against Japan in their final group game. As the star player and team leader, Oshoala will have to pull the Falcons by the strap and carry them if needs be.

Abiodun shows up again

One player who continues to show up match after match is Abiodun. The youngster was impressive against Brazil, but against the world champions, she was imperious.

Abiodun channeled her inner Gandalf -- they shall not pass -- time after time, with her excellent reading of play, speed of thought and impeccable execution as she made interceptions, tackle and steals from more experienced players.

If there is one criticism of the Pitts youngster to be made, it would be that her range of passing could be better. Waldrum will be extremely satisfied with her showing on the day, and the Super Falcons can be assured of a bright future in midfield, especially with the return of Halimatu Ayinde, who was forced to withdraw from the Games due to a late injury.

Nnadozie excels but blots her copybook



Few players have been as influential over the last few years for the Super Falcons as Nnadozie.

Against Spain, she was in her element again, pulling out a rabbit from her seemingly bottomless hat.

With time winding down in the first half, Putella peeled away from the Nigeria defence to meet an inswinging cross right inside the six-yard box, guiding it with a gentle touch in the direction of goal.

Any other goalkeeper and that would have been in, but Nnadozie was not to be beaten and showed razor-sharp reflexes to palm the ball away for a cornerkick. It was a great save.

However, later, Nnadozie's mistake proved costly.

With Spain setting up a freekick on the left channel, she stepped off her line and completely misread the flight of the ball, allowing it sail over her and into the net.

It was not the kind of effort that would beat her normally, which again echoed Waldrum's plea to stay switched on for the full 90.

It is a lesson the Super Falcons will have to learn and assimilate. The top teams only need one error and they will exact punishment.

"We lost to two of the best teams in the world," concluded Waldrum. "Spain is the top team in the world and Brazil are in the top 10.

"We have shown that we could have got something out of those matches. It shows we can play against anybody in the world."

https://africa.espn.com/olympics/story/ ... feat-spain

[iworo]

"We've got to really hone in on that and work a little bit more on our counter, be a little bit more clinical and efficient around the goal. I understand that a lot of people have been saying we're missing chances, we need goal scorers and things and I get it. But you know at least if you can keep a clean sheet you're going to always have a chance," he added.

He has failed with his counter-attacks so far. In fact, I believe the team's counter-attacking ability has regressed compared to their performance in the World Cup.

[joao]

All our football teams need update on modern systems of play, team discipline and focus,
plus a high dose of sports psychology. Ignoring these would keep us as 'also rans' with
nothing to show for the efforts.

[txj]

"We've got to really hone in on that and work a little bit more on our counter, be a little bit more clinical and efficient around the goal. I understand that a lot of people have been saying we're missing chances, we need goal scorers and things and I get it. But you know at least if you can keep a clean sheet you're going to always have a chance," he added.

He has failed with his counter-attacks so far. In fact, I believe the team's counter-attacking ability has regressed compared to their performance in the World Cup.

No sir. He didn't fail with his counterattacks.
They successfully initiated counterattacks which led to 4 good chances.
Where they failed was in:
- not being clinical in front of goal; and
- not being disciplined defensively for the entirety of the match.

[azuka]

Nigerians football fans though. The 2 matches we lost, we lost to extra-ordinary out of this world goals.

[Bell]

FALCONS DIDN'T CREATE OPPORTUNITIES...They didn't create opportunities because they addopted a defensive approach and because they've adopted the "modern football" approach based on playing out of the backfield instead of the more direct approach.

Meanwhile, the forwards were starved of passes while the ball was being played around with the keeper and backs. Then, often, they lost the ball in their own half, giving the Spaniards additional chances. The free kick off which Spain scored came from one such turnover. Same as the Brazil goal.

So there are two problems with this playing out of the backfield approach: (1) Forwards get fewer chances and (2) there are more turnovers in the backfield giving the opponents more scoring opportunities.

It's possible that playimg more direct football would have opened them up for more potent scoring opportunities for Spain but we'll never know. Another observation is that Spain was terribly inneficient given their time of possession and the number of shots they took.
Bell
(Posted on another thread)

[niyi]

FALCONS DIDN'T CREATE OPPORTUNITIES...They didn't create opportunities because they addopted a defensive approach and because they've adopted the "modern football" approach based on playing out of the backfield instead of the more direct approach.

Meanwhile, the forwards were starved of passes while the ball was being played around with the keeper and backs. Then, often, they lost the ball in their own half, giving the Spaniards additional chances. The free kick off which Spain scored came from one such turnover. Same as the Brazil goal.

So there are two problems with this playing out of the backfield approach: (1) Forwards get fewer chances and (2) there are more turnovers in the backfield giving the opponents more scoring opportunities.

It's possible that playimg more direct football would have opened them up for more potent scoring opportunities for Spain but we'll never know. Another observation is that Spain was terribly inneficient given their time of possession and the number of shots they took.
Bell
(Posted on another thread)

People want to believe the team only has trouble finishing their chances but that’s simply not true. The rate of turnovers is high- even in the defensive third. Players are overworked early on and some of the missed chances happen after lung-bursting runs by players pulling double shifts and substitutions leave overworked players on the pitch

There’s a reluctance to criticize Randy that I don’t quite get.

[Gotti]

People want to believe the team only has trouble finishing their chances but that’s simply not true. The rate of turnovers is high- even in the defensive third. Players are overworked early on and some of the missed chances happen after lung-bursting runs by players pulling double shifts and substitutions leave overworked players on the pitch

There’s a reluctance to criticize Randy that I don’t quite get.

Really?!

[iworo]

"We've got to really hone in on that and work a little bit more on our counter, be a little bit more clinical and efficient around the goal. I understand that a lot of people have been saying we're missing chances, we need goal scorers and things and I get it. But you know at least if you can keep a clean sheet you're going to always have a chance," he added.

He has failed with his counter-attacks so far. In fact, I believe the team's counter-attacking ability has regressed compared to their performance in the World Cup.

No sir. He didn't fail with his counterattacks.
They successfully initiated counterattacks which led to 4 good chances.
Where they failed was in:
- not being clinical in front of goal; and
- not being disciplined defensively for the entirety of the match.

The team lacks tactical understanding of effective transitional counter-attacks. So, he failed in my opinion on this. My concern isn't with the missed clinical finishing of the three or four chances they had. The players are not adequately trained to recognize opportunities and position themselves effectively. They need to learn to identify moments when the opposing team is vulnerable, such as after losing possession or when spread across the field. Players should be taught to position themselves in anticipation of a counter-attack, ready to exploit spaces left by the opposition. Emphasizing the importance of quick passes and movement is crucial; players should make rapid decisions and utilize bursts of pace to exploit the disorganized state of the opponent's defense for successful counter-attacks.

As for the defense, I believe they did a fantastic job throughout the match, successfully defending against numerous free kicks. Just because Demehin caused the free kick that eventually led to the goal doesn't mean she was responsible for it. The goal was on Nnadozie, who needs to focus on positioning and trusting her defenders to handle free kicks instead of rushing out. Alexia Putellas noticed this tendency and exploited it, leading to the goal.

[joao]

If a team cannot keep possession while mostly chasing the ball, what do we expect.
Add to that, the lack of clinical finishing of opportunities, and it is clear why the
Falcons are no contenders.
We got beat 1-0 twice, not because we did not put in any effort but because we keep
using the wrong playing style and tactics. Check how many times the ball is hauled out
from the back and gifted to the opposing defense and goalie, as compared to our last
two opponents working the ball from the back. Our team also crowd themselves on the
field instead of spacing out to receive the ball.
In short, our Falcons are either not well coached, or do not play to instructions.

[txj]

"We've got to really hone in on that and work a little bit more on our counter, be a little bit more clinical and efficient around the goal. I understand that a lot of people have been saying we're missing chances, we need goal scorers and things and I get it. But you know at least if you can keep a clean sheet you're going to always have a chance," he added.

He has failed with his counter-attacks so far. In fact, I believe the team's counter-attacking ability has regressed compared to their performance in the World Cup.

No sir. He didn't fail with his counterattacks.
They successfully initiated counterattacks which led to 4 good chances.
Where they failed was in:
- not being clinical in front of goal; and
- not being disciplined defensively for the entirety of the match.

The team lacks tactical understanding of effective transitional counter-attacks. So, he failed in my opinion on this. My concern isn't with the missed clinical finishing of the three or four chances they had. The players are not adequately trained to recognize opportunities and position themselves effectively. They need to learn to identify moments when the opposing team is vulnerable, such as after losing possession or when spread across the field. Players should be taught to position themselves in anticipation of a counter-attack, ready to exploit spaces left by the opposition. Emphasizing the importance of quick passes and movement is crucial; players should make rapid decisions and utilize bursts of pace to exploit the disorganized state of the opponent's defense for successful counter-attacks.

As for the defense, I believe they did a fantastic job throughout the match, successfully defending against numerous free kicks. Just because Demehin caused the free kick that eventually led to the goal doesn't mean she was responsible for it. The goal was on Nnadozie, who needs to focus on positioning and trusting her defenders to handle free kicks instead of rushing out. Alexia Putellas noticed this tendency and exploited it, leading to the goal.

He cannot be said to have failed wrt counters when they successfully initiated counterattacks.

What you are referring to is familiarity and comfort in the game model. That is what is lacking.
That's why in the game thread I recommended finding ways for them to get together more to work on this.
Football is not easy...

[404]

African players may be gifted physically, however, they are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined. May sound, like stereotyping, however the lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline is the undoing of Africans as individuals and as a race! Sorry the truth hurts!

[Gotti]

African players may be gifted physically, however, they are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined. May sound, like stereotyping, however the lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline is the undoing of Africans as individuals and as a race! Sorry the truth hurts!

Yaaaaawwwwwwnnnnnnn......

[1naija]

I don't agree with KoC's characterization of the goal.The last person anyone should blame for the loss is Chiamaka. She ALLOWED the free kick to sail over her head??? That was a superb free kick. There is not a lot most goalkeepers (men or women) could have done to save such free kick.

I do agree that we wasted many chances that would have won us the game.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was heroine and villain. She made a superb save from point blank range, only to allow Alexia Putella's freekick to sail in over her from bad positioning.

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

African players may be gifted physically, however, they are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined. May sound, like stereotyping, however the lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline is the undoing of Africans as individuals and as a race! Sorry the truth hurts!

Indeed the truth hurts and if I had a company that you were interested in working for, you’d be the last person in the world I would consider for hiring and that would be of your own doing. After all, you are an African individual and by your own admission, you have a lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline. My advice to you, young man, is to stop being clever by half and shooting yourself in the foot. It could come back to haunt you


Cheers.

[Damunk]

African players may be gifted physically, however, they are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined. May sound, like stereotyping, however the lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline is the undoing of Africans as individuals and as a race! Sorry the truth hurts!

May sound like stereotyping because it IS.
Simple.
So as an African (I’m assuming you are), I take it you consider yourself as “lacking mental acumen”.
I suggest you speak for yourself and your life experience.

[Damunk]

African players may be gifted physically, however, they are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined. May sound, like stereotyping, however the lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline is the undoing of Africans as individuals and as a race! Sorry the truth hurts!

Indeed the truth hurts and if I had a company that you were interested in working for, you’d be the last person in the world I would consider for hiring and that would be of your own doing. After all, you are an African individual and by your own admission, you have a lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline. My advice to you, young man, is to stop being clever by half and shooting yourself in the foot. It could come back to haunt you


Cheers.

Kpom.
He might not even be a “young man”, which would be a double tragedy.
But it’s his problem, no one else’s.

[404]

As I said the truth is painful, whether I am an African or not is irrelevant football is a wonderful game because it tends to mimic life! African Football Federations are rife with corruption, disorganization, and incompetency, players are not selected on merit and those that represent African nations don’t have the discipline, mental acumen to win. The fact is that Nigeria has regressed since its maiden appearance in the 1994 World Cup except for your wins in the Olympics in 1996 and AFCON 2013 can anyone truthfully say that Nigerian football has progressed. As I said, football is an amazing game because it is a reflection of your society. Just read how Nigeria’s best sprinter in 100 meters was not enrolled for the Olympics in Paris because someone forgot to send in the necessary paperwork if this doesn’t convince you as to how rotten and ridiculous the system is then I don’t know what will….change can only come from inner reflection and acknowledging that change comes from within and not by chastising those that tell the harsh truth!

[404]

As I said the truth is painful, whether I am an African or not is irrelevant football is a wonderful game because it tends to mimic life! African Football Federations are rife with corruption, disorganization, and incompetency, players are not selected on merit and those that represent African nations don’t have the discipline, mental acumen to win. The fact is that Nigeria has regressed since its maiden appearance in the 1994 World Cup except for your wins in the Olympics in 1996 and AFCON 2013 can anyone truthfully say that Nigerian football has progressed. As I said, football is an amazing game because it is a reflection of your society. Just read how Nigeria’s best sprinter in 100 meters was not enrolled for the Olympics in Paris because someone forgot to send in the necessary paperwork if this doesn’t convince you as to how rotten and ridiculous the system is then I don’t know what will….change can only come from inner reflection and acknowledging that change comes from within and not by chastising those that tell the harsh truth!

[Bell]

African players may be gifted physically, however, they are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined. May sound, like stereotyping, however the lack of mental acumen, strength and discipline is the undoing of Africans as individuals and as a race! Sorry the truth hurts!

MIND YOU...many of them may have Nigerian parents but were born/grew up/play overseas.
Bell

[Bell]

As I said the truth is painful, whether I am an African or not is irrelevant football is a wonderful game because it tends to mimic life! African Football Federations are rife with corruption, disorganization, and incompetency, players are not selected on merit and those that represent African nations don’t have the discipline, mental acumen to win. The fact is that Nigeria has regressed since its maiden appearance in the 1994 World Cup except for your wins in the Olympics in 1996 and AFCON 2013 can anyone truthfully say that Nigerian football has progressed. As I said, football is an amazing game because it is a reflection of your society. Just read how Nigeria’s best sprinter in 100 meters was not enrolled for the Olympics in Paris because someone forgot to send in the necessary paperwork if this doesn’t convince you as to how rotten and ridiculous the system is then I don’t know what will….change can only come from inner reflection and acknowledging that change comes from within and not by chastising those that tell the harsh truth!

FOR SURE...no one can argue against your valid observations. They've been repeated ad nauseam in this forum even if the words and tone may have been different.
Bell

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

As I said the truth is painful, whether I am an African or not is irrelevant football is a wonderful game because it tends to mimic life! African Football Federations are rife with corruption, disorganization, and incompetency, players are not selected on merit and those that represent African nations don’t have the discipline, mental acumen to win. The fact is that Nigeria has regressed since its maiden appearance in the 1994 World Cup except for your wins in the Olympics in 1996 and AFCON 2013 can anyone truthfully say that Nigerian football has progressed. As I said, football is an amazing game because it is a reflection of your society. Just read how Nigeria’s best sprinter in 100 meters was not enrolled for the Olympics in Paris because someone forgot to send in the necessary paperwork if this doesn’t convince you as to how rotten and ridiculous the system is then I don’t know what will….change can only come from inner reflection and acknowledging that change comes from within and not by chastising those that tell the harsh truth!

FOR SURE...no one can argue against your valid observations. They've been repeated ad nauseam in this forum even if the words and tone may have been different.
Bell

Bell, sometimes “truths” can be one-sided. We played in the final of the last AFCON. That is not a sign of regression. True, we haven’t lived up to our own expectations but to say that we have regressed is just blatant hysteria


Cheers.

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

As I said the truth is painful, whether I am an African or not is irrelevant football is a wonderful game because it tends to mimic life! African Football Federations are rife with corruption, disorganization, and incompetency, players are not selected on merit and those that represent African nations don’t have the discipline, mental acumen to win. The fact is that Nigeria has regressed since its maiden appearance in the 1994 World Cup except for your wins in the Olympics in 1996 and AFCON 2013 can anyone truthfully say that Nigerian football has progressed. As I said, football is an amazing game because it is a reflection of your society. Just read how Nigeria’s best sprinter in 100 meters was not enrolled for the Olympics in Paris because someone forgot to send in the necessary paperwork if this doesn’t convince you as to how rotten and ridiculous the system is then I don’t know what will….change can only come from inner reflection and acknowledging that change comes from within and not by chastising those that tell the harsh truth!

It is unfortunate that some people, in the face of a superior argument, just choose to double down on their untenable position. What does the incompetence of sports organizations in Africa have to do with your contention that African players are mentally weak and tactically undisciplined? Does that apply to Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Yemi Tella, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and a host of others who have won championships in the best leagues in the world, some of them multiple times? How does the incompetence of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria diminish the accomplishment of individual athletes like Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and Favour Ofili? You’ve deliberately shifted your argument to something entirely different just to support your erroneous narrative. You ought to learn to not allow yourself to get carried away by your emotions


Cheers.