Women's World Cup - USA 5:0 Nigeria ( 2003-09-26 11:39) (FIFAworldcup.com)
Mia Hamm scored two early goals and set up a third as the United States
coasted to a 5-0 victory over Nigeria in Philadelphia.
The hosts, who also got goals from Cindy Parlow, Abby Wambach and a
late penalty from Julie Foudy, are now all but officially through to the
quarter-finals.
The Americans have six points from their first two matches and will
complete their Group A schedule against Korea DPR in Columbus on 28 September.
The Super Falcons are all but mathematically eliminated, having now conceded
eight goals without reply at USA 2003. The U.S. have won nine consecutive FIFA
Women’s World Cup matches and will have to suffer a serious loss to Korea DPR to
fail to finish top of the group.
The U.S. got on the scoreboard early in
this contest, settling their nerves almost before they had the chance to have
any. After Parlow went to ground in the box on the end of a high challenge from
Nigerian captain Florence Omagbemi, Hamm stepped up to coolly slot her spot kick
past a hopelessly confused Precious Dede (1-0, 6’).
Shortly after, Hamm was again roaring forward -- her dominance in the opening
minutes was total. Finding space and getting on the end of a pinpoint Kylie
Bivens cross, her flicked header looked good, but went straight to the waiting
arms of the African keeper (11’).
And just one minute later, the rampant Hamm grabbed her second goal.
Dede drifted off her line to collect the striker’s 35-yard, looping free kick
but completely misjudged it, slapped at the air and had to suffer the
humiliation of plucking the ball out of her net after a dreadful mistake 2-0,
12’).
Only two minutes after that, Hamm smacked the crossbar with another
speculative try from distance. The U.S. were really in the driver’s seat and
putting massive pressure on the African champions (14’).
The Nigerians thought they pulled one back on a quick break, but Stella
Mbachu – who did well to slip the ball home after a brilliant run and shot by
Patience Avre - was judged to be offside by referee Florencia Romano (16’).
Nigeria managed to stop the bleeding and settle into some competent moments
of football as the half wore on. But, they rarely found their way to goal, and
the Americans seemed content to let the half expire.
The United States came out for the second half in renewed, stunning form.
Pushing everything forward, they were obviously not happy with their 2-0 lead.
And straight away, Parlow rose well to meet Hamm’s corner and slam the ball past
Dede for her second goal of the finals (3-0, 47’).
To their credit, the Nigerians never laid down and came within inches of
scoring when Mercy Akide crossed for Perepetua Nkwocha just in front of the U.S.
goal. With Briana Scurry beaten, the midfielder just could not manage to slip
her right-footed shot into the net (61’).
But the U.S. were not wasting their chances. Second-half substitute Abby
Wambach sneaked in at the far post and hammered in an inch-perfect cross from
Kristine Lilly on the full volley for her first FIFA Women’s World Cup goal
(4-0, 65’).
The heads of the Africans dropped after the goal, and when Lilly crossed from
the left it looked like another goal for the States. But Hamm, in a rare moment
of inaccuracy, slammed the ball off the woodwork after Wambach’s shot was saved
well by Dede (73’).
The Americans still had one goal left in them, and it came after Wambach was
taken down hard by Omagbemi in the box. While the crowd expected Hamm to
complete her hat-trick, Foudy stepped up to slam the ball past Dede. The kick
had to be retaken for encroachment into the box., but again, the captain made no
mistake, smacking the ball into the top corner (5-0, 89’)
Deep into stoppage time, Wambach rose to meet a looping ball. The big striker
caught Nigerian defender Bunmi Kayode with a sharp elbow to the face. With blood
pouring from her cheek, the African had to be stretchered off after nearly a
five-minute break in play. (94')
In the end, the U.S. were far too hot for the African Champions to handle.
