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Nigeria Premier League

WWC: Japan embarrasses Spain 4-0 to top Group C

Japan scored three times from lightning breaks in the first half, once in the second and defended resolutely to trounce Spain 4-0 on Monday and top Group C at the Women’s World Cup.
Hinata Miyazawa scored twice, Riko Ueki scored once and both were instrumental in each other’s goals as Japan switched swiftly from defense to counter-attack and scored from its only three attempts on goal before halftime.

Mina Tanaka came off the bench to score the last in the 82nd minute as Japan, with only 22% of possession, turned on a counter-attacking master class in front of 21,000 fans.

Both teams had already clinched places in the round of 16, Japan for the fourth World Cup in succession, Spain for the second. Both had beaten Zambia 5-0 and Spain had the better goal differential after a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. A draw would have been enough to see Spain finish atop a group for the first time in its history.

But Spain has struggled against Asian teams in World Cup matches, losing to South Korea in 2015 and drawing with China in 2019.

Japan played with a strong and cold wind at its back in the first half and that added carry to long balls forward which helped catch the Spain defense in retreat.

Spain had an overwhelming majority of possession in the half; by the 25-minute mark it had enjoyed 68% and had more than 230 completed passes to Japan’s 43. But it was timid, reluctant to go forward and played mostly around the middle of the field, keeping the ball on the ground in the face of the wind .

Japan was content to defend in depth and to counter-attack. It sprang the trap for the first time in the 12th. From just inside the Spain half and wide on the left Jun Endo sent a long, curling ball forward which fell for Miyakawa, who neatly slipped her shot past Misa Rodriguez.

In the 23rd Moeka Minami cleared from the edge of the Japan area. Ueki nodded the ball back for Nagano to send Miyazawa away on the right. She passed across the goal to Ueki, who took the ball on her left foot, propped to her right and unleashed a shot which deflected off Irene Paredes and ballooned over Rodriguez.

Ueki celebrated the goal a day after her 24th birthday.

In the 40th it was Ueki’s turn to deliver for Miyazawa. She broke incisively on the left, passed across to the right as the Spain defense, backpedaling, tried to regroup and Miyazawa finished clinically with her left foot.

Each goal fell into the same pattern and each was executed with the same precision. Spain had few chances before halftime, perhaps its best was Jennifer Hermoso’s header from Ona Batlle’s cross.

Tanaka’s goal was a magnificent solo effort. She beat Rocio Galvez near halfway, eluded Batlle and Paredes and then drove the ball powerfully into the top left corner. Japan’s four goals came from only five attempts.

Among the fans at Sky Stadium were some from Palmerston North, the provincial town 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Wellington which was Spain’s base until they quit it suddenly last week.

Japan was a surprise winner of the World Cup in 2011 and runners-up to the United States in 2015. With 12 goals from three group matches this time, they again loom as a title contender.

Japan now will play Group A runner-up Norway on Saturday in the round of 16 and Spain will play Group A winner Switzerland.

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Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: Rangers Throws Gates Open For Remo Stars Tie

 

The management of reigning NPFL champions, Rangers International FC, ably led by Amobi Ezeaku Esq., has graciously thrown open the gates of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, venue of the match day 24, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture against table topping, Remo Stars FC for fans to come in their numbers to witness the top of the table encounter.

The ‘Flying Antelopes’ who are currently on the 5th spot of the twenty team log are fired up to stop the Ikenne side that is currently leading the pack as they aspire to successfully retain the trophy it won last season.

Technical Adviser of the champions who is also one of the assistant coaches to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, in a chat ahead of the encounter said that it is must win for his wards as they aim to successfully defend the trophy they won last season with the Daniel Ogunmodede side coming second.

“We are ready for the game. It is a very important match for us this season. I know Remo Stars very well. They are in top shape going into this weekend’s fixture but we are also on the rise after a not too good start to the second stanza and we are building on the new found form to earn a good result on Sunday. We are positive going into this encounter despite the fact that our opponent are on an 8-Game unbeaten run. We have our work cut out and the players know what is at stake and we are not going to disappoint our teaming fans that we expect to fill the stands to drum their support for us.”

Also speaking ahead of the encounter, defense Trojan, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, said, “On Sunday, our expectation is to win and grab the three points at state so as to ensure we get ourselves back on the winning ways and stop the high flying Remo Stars just as we did last season after also losing to them in Ikenne. Let our fans come out in their numbers to see good football and a very good win over the Ikenne side that is currently topping the league table. Our ‘Never Say Die’ spirit is still alive.”

On his part, former league top scorer, and last season’ club highest goal scorer, Godwin Obaje, said, “We are expecting a tough encounter from the Remo Stars team but we have our target for the match which is to get all three points at stake and we are motivated to get the result to put us back in the running for a successful title defense. I call on our fans to keep believing in the team as we have all it takes to get a good result on Sunday against Remo Stars.”

Going down memory lane, both sides have clashed nine times in the top flight with each side picking up three wins apiece while three encounters have ended in a draw with the 5-2 whitewash of the Ikenne side on March 24, 2019 still the game with highest number of goals.

 

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Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars Chairman praises players despite loss to Remo Stars

Kano Pillars

Kano Pillars chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar has commended his team despite their 2-1 defeat to Remo Stars in Ikenne on Sunday.

Speaking to the club’s media, Umar expressed pride in the players’ performance and praised their dominance throughout the match.

“I must commend the players and the technical crew for the way they approached the game. From the first whistle to the end of regulation time, they played with passion and dominated the match,” Umar stated.

He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, attributing the loss to bad luck.

“Sometimes, football can be cruel, and we were just unlucky not to secure all three points. We must build on this performance. The season is still ongoing, and I believe with more effort, we will achieve our objectives,” he added.

Kano Pillars are set to face rivals Katsina United in a rescheduled matchday 20 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Wednesday.

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Nigeria Premier League

Brown Ideye Set to Return for Enyimba After Injury Layoff

Brown Ideye

Former Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, is set to make his return for Enyimba in their upcoming league game following a brief injury layoff.

The 36-year-old striker has missed Enyimba’s last two league matches due to a minor injury. Enyimba’s media officer, David Orji, confirmed that Ideye has resumed personal training in preparation for his return to action.

“Ideye is back in training after sustaining a minor injury and should be fully fit soon,” Orji stated.

Ideye has made four league appearances for Enyimba, scoring once. Enyimba will host league leaders Remo Stars in a week 24 fixture in Aba on Sunday, as they aim to improve their standing from the eighth position in the league table, where they currently have 31 points.

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