Female
U-20 Survives Nigeria Onslaught
May 1, 2006
The Liberia National Female U-20 on Saturday survived the onslaught
of their more illustrious Nigerian counterpart when they snatched
draw from the Nigeria's anticipated victory.
The intriguing battle, which was played at a packed Antoinette
Tubman Stadium (ATS), was the first leg of the third and final round
of the FIFA Women qualifiers to see who books one of the two African
tickets to the U-20 Women World Cup in Russia in August 2006.
Liberia's Decontee Syon's own goal after 67 minutes sent the
visitors in a buoyant mood.
But Christina Myers soon silenced them when she turned the sorrow of
many Liberians in to joy; thanks to a terrific volley against the
run of play two minutes later.
|
But due
credit for host’s draw must
go to |
|
|
|
|
But due credit for host's draw must go to their eccentric goalie
Mamie Karmara, who stood between the Nigerians and total disgrace.
The promising goalie made more than twelve nerve wrecking saves to
deny the adventurous Nigerians, in a virtually one sided contest the
visitors enjoyed a lion share of possession with most part of the
game being played in the half of the female Lone Star.
Mamie Karmara indeed made saves, and at times had to operate as a
back sweeper to rescue her side.
Both teams employed the 4-4-2 formation in an attempt to get a foot
in Russia.
The Nigerians, under the tutelage of Emmanuel Tetteh Okonkwo,
attacked in droves, while the Liberians, under helmsmanship of
Lucretious Togba, defended in numbers, as the match can be described
as attack against defense.
Parading two professional players based in Finland, the visitors
were handful in most of the attack and can count themselves unlucky
not to pull a win.
Their goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluetti, was on a virtual holiday, while
speeding wingers Uwak Cynthia and Lwuagu Akudo out paced their
markers, Decontee Sayon and Barzaon Barwu to provide width for the
deadly duo of Ishola Tawa and Chikwelu Rita.
But it was the ever reliable goalie Karmara who prevented them from
reaching the back of the net.
Due to incessant pressure when the score line was 1-1, she sustained
an injury, and was replaced by Miatta Jallabah, amid heavy applaud
from thousands fans at the ATS.
The visitors took the midfield, as they kept their opponents on the
back foot.
However, the Liberia female U-20 Ghanaian based striker Amelia
Washington was a disappointment and had to be substituted.
Kpannah Sayon was disservice, as the host game lacked width and
penetration.
After several on goal attempts, the visitors broke the deadlock when
Decontee Sayon's attempt to head-away a Chikwelu Rita's short went
in her own goal to put the visitors ahead after 67minutes.
The substitute striker Bendu Goi made angle run to the left and
released teammate Christiana Myers whose close range volley beat the
opponent's goalie 120 seconds later.
This was a pretty clean game as there were no yellow cards to either
side, despite some talking point in the officiating of the Ivorian
and Gambia match officials.
The second leg comes on May 13 in Nigeria. A win or a 0-0 draw takes
them to Russia while Liberia will need a win or a 2-2 draw to reach
Russia in just their debut outing.
Judging from the Nigerian pedigree, the female U-20 of Liberia
showed promising valor on Saturday and sporting authorities must be
keen in developing female football at all levels in spite of what
happens during the second leg.
|
|
