Japan defeated Nigeria Super Falcons 3-1 in the final Group C match of the women’s football event at the Paris Olympics which eliminates the African Champions from the tournament.
First-half goals from Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka, and Hikaru Kitagawa ensured that the Asian team finished second in the group, securing a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of Nigeria.
Randy Waldrum retained the lineup that lost 1-0 to Spain in their second game, with Chiamaka Nnadozie starting in goal. The defense comprised Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Chidinma Okeke, and Osinachi Ohale. Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun played in the pivot positions, while Jennifer Echegini, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Toni Payne formed the midfield. Asisat Oshoala led the attack.
From the kickoff, the Falcons ceded possession, allowing the 2011 Women’s World Cup winners to dictate play. Mina Tanaka tested Nnadozie in the 6th minute, but the goalkeeper comfortably saved the half-volley shot.
In the 16th minute, the Falcons faced a scary moment as the Asians had a glorious chance to score, but Ohale blocked the shot well. Four minutes later, Japan took advantage of poor defense, with Maika Hamano coolly finishing a fine pass from Riko Ueki, who beat Nigeria’s offside trap in the 22nd minute.
Japan continued to dominate possession and almost scored again three minutes after their opener. Ten minutes later, Mina Tanaka reacted quickly to a Ueki header that hit the crossbar, scoring Japan’s second goal.
In the 34th minute, there was a shout for a handball after Ajibade’s cross hit Rion Ishikawa’s hand, but the referee allowed play to continue, disappointing the Falcons. However, Nigeria began to take control of possession and was rewarded in the 42nd minute. After a neat exchange of passes between Abiodun and Echegini, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder rifled a shot into the top corner to beat Ayaka Yamashita, getting Nigeria back into the game.
Five minutes into additional time of the first half, Hikaru Kitagawa ended any hope of a Nigerian comeback with a curled shot from a set piece, beating Nnadozie to restore Japan’s two-goal lead.
Two minutes into the second half, Echegini almost scored Nigeria’s second goal, but her shot was headed out by a Japanese defender. In the 54th minute, Venezuelan referee Emikar Calderas awarded Japan a penalty after Ajibade was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box, but the decision was overruled by VAR.
The Falcons threw everything they had at the Asians, hoping to get back into the game, but they were unable to break through the defense again. As time ran out, the 11-time African champions went all out in search of a consolation goal but wasted several chances.
The defeat means the Falcons are out of the tournament, having lost all three group games to finish bottom of Group C with zero points.
