Wasteful Flamingoes Share Points, Gambia Goes Down 11-0

NIGERIA U-17 women team, Flamingoes, began their quest for honour on a shaky note yesterday as the 2012 edition of the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup kicked off in Azerbaijan.The Peter Dedevbo-led team came from a goal down to end their tie 1-1 against Canada at the Tofig Bahramov Stadium in a game they could have won after dominating the first-half.It was a sad story for the other African team, The Gambia, as it suffered a humiliating 11-0 defeat to Korea DPR in their Group B encounter in Baku.Amandine Pierre-Louise's one-on-one with Nigeria goalkeeper, Gift Andy was all that broke the early pressure for Canada.However, the Nigerian onslaught continued as they hit the woodwork three times before the break. Chinwendu Ihezuo rattled the bar with a header after a short-corner routine, before Jiroro Ideke's inswinging corner left Sheridan flapping as it cannoned off the bar again.But Chidinma Edeji arguably had the best chance of the lot, arriving late on a loose ball four yards out, hammering a shot onto the upright with Sheridan helpless.The trend continued after half-time, with Ihezuo hitting the post with another header, before Adeboyejo forced Sheridan into a full-length save.Then came the hammer blow. Substitute Nichelle Prince slipped in the lively Pierre-Louise, who charged into the area and fired ferociously past Andy.Nigeria looked stunned, and was less fruitful in the following minutes. However, they regrouped and again looked the better side.The African side spurned further chances, but they eventually got the goal that didn't look like coming.Adeboyejo's cross from the left was blocked, but played in the rebound and Ihezuo volleyed home the goal she richly deserved.They then pushed for a winner, but ultimately had to be content with a point.
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