France beat Nigeria in women's World Cup
Posted Monday, June 27, 2011 by YAHOO Sport
SINSHEIM, Germany (AFP) - France opened their 2011 women's World Cup with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Nigeria here Sunday thanks to Marie-Laure Delie's goal in a crucial Group A encounter.
A near sell-out crowd of 25,475 in Sinsheim saw a number of good chances but no goals until Delie's goal in the 56th minute gave France three points in the group with Nigeria remaining on zero.
"It is our first match and we have three points. They are in our pockets and nobody can take them away," said France coach Bruno Bini.
"Tactically we were a little bit better than them and that allowed us to win the game.
"Unfortunately it's one of those things in football. That's why it's a game. We had it in the hand and suddenly it slipped off," said Nigeria coach Ngozi Uche.
The game at Rhein Neckar Arena was considered a near must-win for both sides with two-time reigning champions and hosts Germany must likely to advance as the other team from Group A to the quarter-finals.
France were the dominating team right from the start, especially on the left side through Louisa Necib - for whom the Nigerians had no answer.
"There are not many players like her. She is just an artist. When I am cold and she gets the ball I am warm again. She is like a ray of sunshine," Bini said about player of the match Necib.
The French were unable to create a real chance though until Elise Bussaglia's long blast at the 17-minute mark, which Nigeria keeper Precious Dede did a fine job fending away.
A minute later Gaetane Thiney's attempt off a corner struck the right post, followed by defender Wendie Renard shooting over the crossbar from six yards out in the 23rd minute.
Nigeria slowly worked their way into the game and Desure Oparanozie was sent clear down the right side in the 25th minute.
But the 17-year-old failed to keep her nerves and shot well left of goal in a one-on-one situation against French keeper Berangere Sapowicz, missing clearly the best chance of the first half.
"The inability of the front players to convert hurt us in this match," said Uche.
Uche was forced to replace Faith Ikidi in favour of Josephine Chukwunonye after just 34 minutes.
And Necib had a long shot batted away for a corner by Dede a minute before the break.
France coach Bruno Bini made one switch at half-time, bringing in Eugiene Le Sommer for Sandrine Soubeyrand.
The move paid off for Les Bleus as Le Sommer received a through ball on the right side and the Olympique Lyon midfielder crossed into the box where Necib got her foot on the ball before Delie blasted it past Dede.
The French celebrated with Bussaglia acting as if she was shining Delie's shoes.
The 23-yearp-old Montpellier forward Delie is in fantastic form, having now scored 22 goals in 21 caps and 12 goals in her last six matches.
"I give it my best each time the purpose of a striker is to score and voila!" said Delie.
"It just keeps going. She is really unbelievable," said Bini of Delie.
Delie nearly struck again after 64 minutes, twisting and striking but only finding Dede.
Bini had to make a final substitution five minutes later with Renard coming out holding her groin area and replaced by Laure Lepailleur.
Nigeria went for broke and brought on 16-year-old starlet Uchechi Sunday in the 78th minute for another forward.
But the French defence held - just barely as left back Sonia Bompastor helped clear a dangerous header with four minutes to play.
France nearly finished off the African giants but Necib's free kick went just over the crossbar in the 90th minute.
France next play Canada on Thursday while Nigeria face hosts Germany that same day.
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