'Stalwart Nigerian side' - Arsenal laud Super Falcons for defensive display v Canada 

Arsenal have their eyes on the ongoing 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup with fifteen of their players on international duty with their respective countries in Australia and New Zealand. 

The Gunners watched with keen interest Friday morning's showdown between Nigeria and Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (Melbourne). 

Their new signing from Benfica, Cloe Lacasse came off the bench at halftime while goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo was a non-playing substitute with Kailen Sheridan preferred over her in between the posts.

It was a hard earned point for the African champions largely due to the heroics of Chiamaka Nnadozie who saved a penalty taken by Christine Sinclair four minutes into the second half.

The likes of Ohale Osinachi, Blessing Demehin and Christy Ucheibe put in solid defensive shifts and even Francisca Ordega supported the defence when they came under siege especially in the opening twenty minutes of the contest. 

Reviewing the encounter between Nigeria and Canada, Arsenal praised the hardworking Super Falcons squad. 

"Over in Group B, the reigning Olympic champions Canada couldn't overcome a stalwart Nigerian side as their opening game finished goalless," Arsenal wrote on the official website. 

"Canadian legend Christine Sinclair missed the game's best chance from the penalty spot in the second half. A goal would have made Sinclair the first-ever player to score at six World Cups."

Nigeria remain unbeaten in meetings with the Canadians at the Fifa Women's World Cup and the point gives the Super Falcons a real shot of progressing to the knockout rounds. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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