World Cup, Day 2 Analysis
Nigeria held Canada to a 0-0, Switzerland got off to a winning start and Spain laid down a marker against Costa Rica...
Canada fell into their stereotype
If there is a team who could 0-0 themselves to a World Cup triumph, it's probably Canada.
But Bev Priestman's Olympic champions will be disappointed with how this one panned out, and I can't help but feel they were a little unambitious in their attempts.
I was surprised to see both Cloé Lacasse and Evelyne Viens on the bench, two of the top scorers anywhere in Europe over the past couple of years, and while both came on in the second half, Nigeria had set their stall out by then.
Starting forward Jordyn Huitema had five shots, the most of any player in the tournament so far, but none hit the target.
Things would of course been different had Christine Sinclair not been denied from the penalty spot, and while Canada had the better of it and created some good openings, they were pourous as so often they are in front of goal.
They did though remain defensively solid, only really giving Nigeria one clear sight of goal, and that was offside when substitute Uchenna Kanu forced Kailen Sheridan into a great save.
For Canada to have any chance of toppling Australia, they really needed a win and already it's now looking at best a battle for second for the Olympic champions who need to find their shooting boots before they face another solid outfit in Republic of Ireland next week.
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Nigeria showed promise at both ends
Nigeria meanwhile we don't necessarily associate with 0-0s, but despite drawing a blank, that's nothing to be ashamed of against one of the most defensively solid sides in the tournament.
Where Nigeria will be pleased, especially with Group B now wide open, is how at times their attack did test the Canada defence, as should be expected with a starting front-line which included Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega and Ifeoma Onumonu, with Uchenna Kanu coming off the bench.
But also at the other end, they really managed to stifle a Canada attack which has not always been famed for scoring goals, but does have more dynamism now in the likes of Huitema, and then Lacasse and Viens, even if the latter duo started on the bench.
One standout was young 19-year-old midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who despite being sent off for a pretty poor late challenge on Ashley Lawrence, put in a mega shift in the holding midfield role, and again emphasised the importance of that role to any nation wanting to go far in the tournament.
Then there was the superb penalty save from Chiamaka Nnadozie, whose strong left hand denied the greatest goal scorer in international football. There's no doubt at times they rode their luck, but the 0-0 was also down to both goalkeeping and defensive quality on Nigeria's side.
Canada, as mentioned above, were restricted to just three shots on target from their 15 attempts, and if Randy Waldrum's side can find a little something extra in attack, they've given themselves a chance of progression despite the disputes they are embroiled in away from the pitch.
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