World Cup Report: Ireland 0 - 0 Nigeria

Ireland’s World Cup campaign finished with a point and a clean sheet after easing to a 0-0 draw with Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday.

A comfortable 4-0 win for Australia over Canada in the other final group game saw the Aussies finish top of the table, with Nigeria claiming second place

Ireland can be proud of the performances they put in despite Ireland finishing bottom of the group, especially against a fired-up Nigerian side

Vera Pauw made two changes from the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Canada last Wednesday, with Lily Agg coming in for Lucy Quinn and Heather Payne replacing Áine O’Gorman.

Nigeria looked instantly powerful and quick, especially down the wings where Halimatu Ayinde and Asisat Oshoala causedconcern and looked for cracks in the Irish defence.

Oshoala came into the starting XI after battling injuries in the build-up but has scored 30 goals in 41 appearances for her country, so Ireland needed to be prepared for her dangerous play.#Both teams had a chance within the opening five minutes. Antionette Payne tried to curl the ball in from the left after powering around the defence, while McCabe flashed a low shot inches wide

Oshoala then had a shot from the right after a pacey battle with Louise Quinn but couldn’t hit the target.

Megan Connolly worked tirelessly to try and defend from Nigeria’s strong attack and, despite Ireland getting a large chunk of possession throughout the half, Randy Waldrum’s side looked dangerous when they were given a chance.

Denise O’Sullivan had some excellent passes out to Heather Payne on the right but the latter found it difficult to whip the ball into the box and was quickly closed down.

Kyra Carusa headed from a McCabe set piece after the ball was pinged around the box before falling to the California-born striker, but the effort was saved comfortably by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nobody expected Ireland to lay down after unlucky defeats in their opening two games, and despite Nigeria’s pressing attacks, it was the Irish who came out of the first-half with the better share of possession and dominance towards goal.

This shifted somewhat in the second-half however, as both teams came out nervy and unsettled.

Brosnan was forced to make a save early on when Uchenna Kanu got her head to the end of an excellent cross into the box from Payne, but the Everton goalkeeper was alert and made the save which then bounced off the top of the crossbar and out of danger.

Ireland were largely on the back foot and had to scramble to keep their opponents from making any threatening runs.

O’Sullivan had a chance on the hour mark to hit the net but was closed down quickly and her shot through the middle was blocked.

McCabe then had the opportunity to net a similar effort to her goal against Canada last week, when Ireland were awarded only their second corner kick of the night with 15 minutes remaining, but she whipped the ball onto the top of the net and out of play.

McCabe again produced some brilliant play when her perfectly-timed cross was drifted in to meet Carusa in the middle, but the latter couldn’t connect before colliding with the goalkeeper in what was Ireland’s only real chance for the remainder of the game.

Pauw decided against bringing on any substitutions until the 83rd minute, but the fresh legs of Abbie Larkin, Marissa Sheva and Diane Caldwell on her 97th appearance, could not produce any further attack.

The Super Falcons surpassed expectations and will likely face England in the next round should the Lionesses top Group D.

Meanwhile, Ireland will head home after putting every effort onto the pitch and collecting a point along the way in what was a very difficult group.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Megan Connolly, Niamh Fahey (Diane Caldwell 90), Heather Payne (Marissa Sheva 83), Louise Quinn; Lily Agg (Abbie Larkin 83), Ruesha Littlejohn, Katie McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan; Kyra Carusa, Sinead Farrelly.

Subs not used: Megan Walsh, Grace Moloney, Chloe Mustaki, Izzy Atkinson, Claire O'Riordan, Lucy Quinn, Ciara Grant, Aine O'Gorman, Amber Barrett.

Booked: Katie McCabe (68).

Nigeria: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Blessing Dehemin (Onome Ebi 84), Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre; Rasheedat Ajibade, Halimatu Ayinde, Antionette Payne, Christy Ucheibe; Uchenna Kanu (Gift Monday 67), Asisat Oshoala (Ifeoma Onumonu 67).

Subs not used: Tochukwu Olehi, Zainab Balogun, Glory Ogbonna, Rofiat Imuran, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Esther Okoronkwo, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega.

Referee: Katia Garcia (Mexico)

Attendance: 24,884

extratime.com Player of the Match: Megan Connolly (Ireland)