2023 WWC: Canada coach disappointed with draw against Super Falcons

Canada’s coach Beverly Priestman is seen on the touchline during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group B football match between Nigeria and Canada at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on July 21, 2023. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Canada head coach Beverly Priestman has expressed disappointment following her team’s 0-0 draw with Nigeria’s Super Falcons in their 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup Group B opener on Friday.

Olympic champions Canada went into the game as a favourite but could not break down a resolute Falcons side.

Veteran skipper Christine Sinclair was denied from the penalty spot early in the second half as her effort was saved by Chiamaka Nnadozie.

It was the third meeting between the Falcons and Canada at the World Cup with the Nigerian team securing one win and two draws.

Commenting in her post-match analysis, Priestman rued her team’s missed chances.

“Disappointed not to come away with the three points but I think some positives from the performance, the impact from the bench is critical and I think when you keep a clean sheet when you’re pushing for that goal we know they can score the other way.

“Credit to the team they kept the transition locked off and pushed, we had lots of chances, just got to find the back of the net. We opened the Olympics (Tokyo 2020) with a draw, we are not too hung up on that we will move on to game two.“

The 37-year-old English coach explained how her side limited the Falcons to very few scoring opportunities.

She added:” We knew what they would do, they would be direct and break whenever you give them that chance. It’s an act of playing, get central players on the ball but we know that’s where they break from. We dominated with many