Nigeria’s Super Falcons fall to third straight friendly defeat to Japan’s Nadeshiko

The Asian powerhouse showed their superiority in the second half after some spirited display by the Nigerians in the first 45

Nigeria’s Super Falcons fell to a 2-0 defeat to Japan’s women’s national team in an international friendly match played at the Noevir Stadium on Thursday morning.

Skippered by Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade, the Super Falcons held the 2011 World champions to a goalless draw at halftime.

That half had very few chances, but Leicester City fullback Ashley Plumptre could have given Nigeria the lead, but her fantastic free-kick came back off the post.

The Falcons had the brilliance of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to thank, however, for keeping the team levelled at the break.

But Mina Tanaka broke Nigeria’s resistance midway through the second half. Tanaka added the second from the penalty spot shortly after to condemn Nigeria to their third defeat in the hands of Japan.

The Falcons had lost two back-to-back friendly matches against the Nadeshiko in 2013 before Thursday’s meeting.

It is also Nigeria’s third straight friendly loss after the disappointment of the Women Africa Cup of Nations outing. The nine-time continental champions lost twice on the trot to the United States in September.

While coach Randy Waldrum will be displeased with the losses to the United States and Japan, the American coach has vowed to focus on getting the team ready for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.