Womens 2007 World Cup; match 4

Group B, 11/9/07 in Chengdu.

Nigeria v. Sweden

Nigeria: P.Dede, F.Ikidi, O.Ebi, C.George, U.Jerome, M.Mmadu (E.Ekpo 59), C.C.Igbo (S.Mbachu 35), I.Chiejine, P.Nkwocha, R.Chikwelu, C.Uwak.

Sweden: H.Lindahl, S.Thunebro, S.Segerstrom, H.Marklund, F.Ostberg, C.Seger, A.Paulson, T.Sjogran, C.Schelin (L.Forsberg 83), H.Ljungberg (S.Johansson 69), V.Svensson.

With America and North Korea to come Sweden would have been looking for, and expecting, a win against Nigeria and the early stages suggested they would have little difficulty collecting it.

After just over a minute Hanna Ljungberg was sending in a shot from beyond the penalty area that had Precious Dede leaping to tip onto the bar. Shortly afterwards Victoria Svensson was testing Dede with a low effort and again the Nigerian keeper was up to the challenge.

Sweden looked too strong and organised for their African opponents and continued to press but the opening goal would not come. On the half hour their frustration increased when Svensson lashed in a tremendous drive from outside the box but the ball rebounded out to safety from the underside of the bar.

Finally Nigeria managed a response and a fine centre by Chi-Chi Igbo caused problems for the Swedish defence but the eventual shot was well off target.

Charlotta Schelin was allowed to continue from an offside position just inside the box as Sweden attacked again but Dede spread herself superbly to save with her feet.

The last chance of the first half fell to Nigeria as Ifeanyi Chiejine was set away running at the last defender but she chose to shoot early and completely scuffed her attempt.

Having somehow resisted through the entire first half Nigeria then fell behind early in the second. Frida Ostberg forced the ball through to Svensson who was all alone as every defender bar one pushed out and promptly found the corner of the net to put Sweden ahead.

Any thoughts that Nigeria might now wither were quickly dashed and the Super Falcons actually began to take some sort of control as they sought an equaliser.

Chiejine sent in a fine centre that Hedvig Lindahl could only punch to the edge of the box and the Swedes were glad to see Maureen Mmadu's first time effort drift over the bar.

Lindahl would be consistently tested during the last half hour although Nigeria rarely worked a clear opening.

Sweden had the chance to clinch victory when Schelin's superb centre found the head of Svensson unmarked six yards out in front of goal but the attempt was too high.

This bad miss was then punished eight minutes from time when a quick free kick released Stella Mbachu down the right and when the defence made a hash of clearing Cynthia Uwak was on hand to smack home the equaliser against the nation where she plays her club football.

Things could have got even worse for the Swedes when Mbachu sent Uwak racing into the box and with the keeper diving at her feet the strikers' effort took a double ricochet before bouncing wide of the post.

On this form Sweden will be hard pushed to qualify while Nigeria should probably enjoy this moment while they can. They are unlikely to avoid defeat against either America or North Korea.

One things for sure though; the Group of Death is very much alive.

Full Time: Nigeria 1 Sweden 1