Brazil admit Falcons difficulty in Bordeaux win

Brazil agree Thursday’s Women’s Football Tournament Group C opener against Nigeria was a difficult match despite securing a 1-0 win over the African giants, According Sports Extra reports.

Gabi Nunes, who scored the decisive goal, and goalkeeper Lorena made the observation while reflecting on the nail-biting encounter at Stade de la Beaujoire in a chat with FIFA.com.

“I am very, very happy with this game. It was a difficult game, but this team is amazing; we trained a lot to play a good game. I’m happy with the goal, to be able to help our team, and now we have to rest and enjoy this moment,” said Nunes.

This was corroborated by Lorena, who seized the occasion to extol the virtues of the team, saying, “Brazil is very prepared. Arthur is doing an excellent job, and we are very prepared. We could all see today how strong the group is, and Nigeria is a difficult team, but we deserved to win. Our squad is united, and we will always battle for the first place.”

Brazil opened the scoring in the 37th minute, when Marta, just moments after having a goal ruled out for offside, played a sumptuous reverse ball to Nunes, who took two touches and rifled the ball into the net. While the evergreen Marta struck the post in the second half, Brazil held on to secure all three points.

Nigeria have now lost thrice in as many encounters with Brazil, having slumped to a 4-3 defeat to the South Americans at the quarterfinals of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 3-1 at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.

The Super Falcons were not disappointing in Thursday’s match, but the loss puts a huge burden on Randy Waldrum’s charges in their quest to qualify from the group also housing world champions Spain and Asian heavyweights Japan.

They will take on Spain for the second match on Sunday, July 28 at the at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes and round off group assignment with another tough tie against Japan on Wednesday, July 31 at the same venue.