World champions United States of America maintained their superiority over the Super Falcons of Nigeria with a convincing 4-0 win in an international friendly game on Saturday, Abbeylivenetwork.com reports.
The game which was played inside the Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, was the first of two friendlies lined up between USA and the Falcons.
The USA have now won all seven meetings against the Falcons since their first clash at the 1999 women’s World Cup.
Falconets stars at the just concluded FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, Deborah Abiodun, Tosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran made their debuts with the Falcons while Esther Onyenezide was benched.
Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a great save in the 4th minute to keep the hosts at bay early in the game.
The Falcons threatened to score four minutes later through Ifeoma Onumonu who collided with the USA goalkeeper. The Nigerian striker needed medical attention.
Despite the early promise shown by the Falcons, USA scored in the 13th minute through Smith.
In the 22nd minute, Monday Gift went close to restoring parity but her long range strike was saved by US keeper, Naeher.
It soon became 2-0 for USA when Horan finished superbly in the 26th minute.
With 10 minutes before the break, Morgan was denied by Nnadozie in Nigerian goal before the woodwork came to the rescue of the Nigerians when Horan went close afterwards.
Centre-back Osinachi Ohale was booked for a rather poor challenge on USA’s Smith in the 40th minute.
Two minutes into added time,United States got their third goal of the game through Smith who got her brace.
In the 54th minute, Alex Morgan converted from the spot kick for USA’s fourth goal of the evening.
Super Falcons head coach Thomas Derneby made raft of changes and there was somewhat improved passage of play after the former African champions went 4-0 down albeit there was a head injury scare for Ohale.
Michelle Alozie forced the USA goalkeeper to a wonderful save as the Falcons surged forward in search of some redemption.
Christy Ucheibe was stretchered off 10 minutes to full time after a bad tackle from her marker to reduce the Falcons to 10 players on the field.
There was five minutes of additional time at the end of 90 minutes.
Alozie delivered another powerful shot but it was saved by the USA goalkeeper.
The Falcons were well beaten but they had an improved performance towards the end of the game.
