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In a somewhat drab final match of the group stage Ireland women and Nigeria recorded a logical 0-0 draw. The already-eliminated Irish were happy to earn their first-ever World Cup point. The Super Falcons were delighted as the result meant they progressed through to the knockouts. Here are our Ireland women vs Nigeria player ratings.
- Boring first half saw neither goalkeeper tested.
- More of the same after the interval with the battle mainly focused around the centre circle.
- Late on Ireland tried to win it but their efforts were ineffective.
Ireland women Player Ratings: First-ever World Cup point for the Greens sends them home satisfied
Contents
GK Courtney Brosnan 7/10 – Not troubled much. Still, made 2 solid saves and this gave her a clean sheet.
DF Niamh Fahey 7/10 – Defended very well. Also, carried threat from set pieces but was a bit unlucky as twice her headers hit teammates.
DF Megan Connolly 6/10 – Unconvincing in the air. Apart from that did everything else right defensively.
DF Louise Quinn 7/10 – Solid all around. The best Irish defender in this match.
MF Ruesha Littlejohn 6/10 – Started brightly. Got tired late on and lost in the action past the hour mark.
MF Lily Agg 6/10 – Nervous all first half. Much better after the interval. Executed her defensive duties very well.
MF Katie McCabe 8/10 – Captain McCabe was once again the beating heart of the team. She led her teammates well. Didn’t get any scoring chances though.
MF Heather Payne 7/10 – Several of her solo runs were the most exciting Irish attacks. Unfortunately, there were only a few of those.
FW Denise O’Sullivan 6/10 – Didn’t test the defenders much. Lost most 50-50 duels she entered.
FW Sinead Farrelly 7/10 – Registered the only shot on target for the Irish. Also, her header just over was the best chance for the Greens all game.
FW Kyra Carusa 6/10 – Played poorly. Sloppy in possession and not helping defensively.
Substitutes
All 3 substitutions took place inside the final 15 minutes, so those players didn’t spend enough time on the pitch to get ratings.
Nigeria women Player Ratings: another great defensive display proves enough
GK Chiamaka Nnadozie 7/10 – Had to make only 1 save. Did that well and recorded her 2nd clean sheet of the group stage.
DF Ashleigh Plumptre 7/10 – Defended her zone well. Also, her crosses carried danger.
DF Blessing Demehin 6/10 – Not asked to do much. Tested a few times in the air but scrambled to make good recoveries.
DF Osinachi Ohale 6/10 – Rock solid for about 70 minutes. Made 2 bad mistakes late on and was lucky to get away with those.
DF Michelle Alozie 7/10 – Not much to do defensively. Helped the forward actions well in the first half. Not so much late on.
MF Toni Payne 7/10 – Passed the ball very well. Dominant and sent 3 shots just wide.
MF Christy Ucheibe 7/10 – Did all the small things very well.
MF Uchenna Kanu 7/10 – Tried to force the issue with solo runs too often. Apart from that played well.
MF Rasheedat Ajibade 7/10 – Another solid performer. Did very well to keep McCabe away from the box.
MF Halimatu Ayinde 8/10 – Her runs were a constant source of danger. Her crosses deserved better placing from teammates too.
FW Asisat Oshoala 6/10 – Ineffective all match. Several times she was too late to attack inviting crosses.
Substitutes
MF Gift Monday 6/10 – Helped on the defensive end late on.
FW Ifeoma Onumonu 5/10 – Anonymous since she came on.
The only other substitution took place inside the final 15 minutes, so those players didn’t spend enough time on the pitch to get ratings.
Player of the Match: Katie McCabe
Ireland’s captain McCabe was by far the most influential individual player on the pitch. She led the Greens by example once more and worked extremely hard. With pretty much every attacking move of the Irish going through her McCabe gets our vote for Player of the Match as she hardly did anything wrong throughout the 90 minutes.
After the final whistle, it was tears of joy for the Nigerian women as the draw was enough to see them reach the knockouts.
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