Womens 2007 World Cup; match 19

Group B, 18/9/07 in Shanghai.

Nigeria v. USA

Nigeria: P.Dede, L.Cole, E.Ekpo, U.Jerome, F.Ikidi, P.Nkwocha, C.George, S.Mbachu, C-C.Igbo (I.Chiejine 22), R.Chikwelu, C.Uwak (O.Chukwudi 83).

USA: H.Solo, C.Whitehill, K.Markgraf, C.Rampone (T.Ellertson 77), S.Lopez, S.Boxx, C.Lloyd (L.Osborne 64), L.Chalupny, K.Lilly (L.Tarpley 84), H.O'Reilly, A.Wambach.

In pouring rain the United States set about clinching top spot in Group B and a quarter final meeting with England. Within a minute they led.

Cat Whitehill came over to the left flank to hurl a long throw into the Nigerian penalty area and after Abby Wambach flicked on at the near post Lori Chalupny arrived to shoot home with the aid of a significant deflection off a defender.

This start boded badly for the Africans and they found the going tough for most of the first half.

Lilian Cole took out Chalupny with probably the worst foul of the tournament so far and was rightly booked as America looked to build on their early lead.

The combination between Kristine Lilly and Wambach was soon seen again to good effect and after the pair had linked in the build up Lilly picked out the striker with an inch perfect centre but Wambach's storming header was too high.

Nigeria struggled to deal with another long throw by Whitehill but this time the deflections were in their favour and Precious Dede finally made a safe catch having made an unconvincing punch when the ball first came across.

There was real danger when America stole possession inside the Nigerian half and attacked a threadbare defence but after Chalupny had teased her marker and provided Lilly with a precise centre her header was narrowly wide of the post.

Efioanwan Ekpo came forward to send in a hopeful shot for Nigeria but Hope Solo caught the attempt easily even though the ball was passing wide of the post.

Lilly and Wambach combined again easily down the left to set America back on the attack and this time Wambach's header from Lilly's cross was creeping underneath the crossbar until Dede turned it behind with her fingertips.

From the corner Shannon Boxx was left completely unmarked just beyond the far post and should have done better than send a feeble effort wide from close range.

Chalupny began America's first dangerous attack of the second half with a fine crossfield ball out to Wambach on the left wing but she went for goal from out wide instead of crossing for the unmarked Heather O'Reilly and the chance was wasted.

The Nigerians were showing far more conviction in their efforts after half time, however, and began to ask some real questions of a ponderous looking American defence.

Several good attacking positions were spoiled by a poor final ball or by choosing the wrong option but the American defence certainly looked less than invincible.

The pacy Perpetua Nkwocha was causing particular problems down the right and sped away from the lumbering Whitehill before flashing a good low effort just wide of the far post.

America were presented with a good opportunity when the referee awarded them a soft free kick on the edge of the area but Lilly's drive, though fiercely struck, was always rising too high.

Nigeria gamely continued to push forward and Nkwocha combined well with Cole down the right before crossing to Rita Chikwelu whose header was blocked on the line by Solo with Ogonna Chukwudi unable to force home the loose ball.

The game ended with Nkwocha coming forward again to provide Stella Mbachu with a shooting chance from the edge of the box but Solo was equal to the effort down by her left hand post.

America were safely through but this, and their other performances, will not have scared England too much and if our girls can reproduce their display against the Germans then there is a realistic chance of further progress.

Full Time: Nigeria 0 USA 1