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Sweden 3-3 Nigeria FIFA Women’s World Cup

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WINNIPEG, Canada (Sporting Alert) — Nigeria came from two-goals down to earn a massive point against Sweden in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Group D opener at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Canada on Monday.

The Swedes, although not playing at their best, took a first half 2-0 lead through an own goal by Desire Oparanozie in the 21st minute and a Nilla Fischer close range poker in the 31st.

However, Nigeria, who looked the better team in the first half and were very unlucky not to have scored at least one goal, came roaring back in the second half.

A stunning finish by Ngozi Okobi pulled a goal back for the Africans in the 50th minute, before Asisat Oshoala got the better of Fischer to score her team’s second three-minutes goal later, as the scores were knotted at 2-2.

Nigeria looked very confident afterwards and went in search of a third, which opened gaps for Sweden to exploit and the Europeans grabbed the lead back on the hour mark when substitute Linda Sembrant guided home a cross from inside the six-yard box.

But just when the game looked done and dusted, the Super Falcons found another way back and it was Francisca Ordega, who slid a ball under the legs of Hedvig Lindahl in the 87th minute to shock Sweden and grabbed a massive point for her team ahead of the next fixture against Australia.

I feel OK after our first match. They expected to win, and at the end of the day we got a draw. Prayer is a key for the Nigerian team,” Nigeria coach Edwin Okon said.

“We praise God. That is the key. I thought in the first half we were the stronger team.”

Sweden head coach Pia Sundhage, on the other hand, wasn’t happy about the final outcome.

We’re not happy that we gave up three goals, however, at the end of the day we got one point and there’s good things to bring to the next game,” Sundhage sai.

“The game plan was different than what you saw. Again, we got one point and next time, when we play the [United] States, I hope we will follow the game plan.”

Sweden will take USA in their game of Group.

Okobi, for her outstanding display on the evening, was awarded with the Player of the Game honour and she truly deserved it.

The Nigerian attacker was sprinted throughout the contest, which unsettled the defensive line of Sweden.

STARTING TEAMS

Sweden Team: Lindahl, Berglund, Fischer, Dahlkvist, Schelin, Asllani, Jakobsson, Sjogran, Nilsson, Seger (C), Rubensson

Nigeria Team: Dede, Ohale, Ebi, Chukwunonye, Oshoala, Oparanozie, Ayinde, Okobi, Nwabuoku (C), Ordega, Ebere

France beat Nigeria 2-0, book World Cup quarter-finals slot

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Paul Pogba (R) scores for France

BRASILIA (SportingAlert) — France progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.

A 79th minute header from Paul Pogba and an own goal by Joseph Yobo, one minute into stoppage time, sealed the win for the 1998 champions.

Both teams ended 0-0 at half-time.

France now join Brazil, Netherlands, Costa Rica and Colombia as the five teams to progress to the quarter-finals already.

France will meet the winner of today’s last 16 clash between Germany and Algeria.

Watch live World Cup last 16 Streaming and TV channels – June 30

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Karim Benzema to lead France in World Cup last 16
Karim Benzema to lead France in World Cup last 16

(SportingAlert.com) — The World Cup round of 16 continues on Monday with France v Nigeria and Germany v Algeria, as two more quarter-finals places are up for grab.

Live coverage of the games will be at 12pm and 4pm ET, respective, on ESPN, ESPN3.com, ESPN,Univision, ESPN3.com, UnivisionDeportes.com and WatchESPN. Other live providers are beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD, Nederland 1, NOS Live Streaming, STV Scotland, ITV 1 UK, BBC Radio 5 Live, UTV, ITV Player, RTE 2, RTE Player, TalkSport Radio, ZDF, ZDF Sport Live Stream, Zattoo, CBC Sports Live Streaming.

France v Nigeria

At the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Karim Benzema and France will take on a very determined Nigeria side with both teams bracing for a tough and challenging battle.

France will welcome back PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who served a one match suspension in the last group stage game, but defender Mamadou Sakho remains doubtful for the contest because of a thigh injury.

All eyes will be on Real Madrid forward Benzema to see if he continue his good scoring form at the tournament. The striker has three goals and two assists in three games so far at the 2014 World Cup, while he’s scored nine goals in his last nine outings for France.

Nigeria, meanwhile, comes into this fixture after finishing second to Argentina in their group and will be in confident mood, despite losing their last game. The Super Eagles were beaten 3-2 by Lionel Messi and company in their last World Cup game of the group stage, but head coach Stephen Keshi says the team has taken a lot of positive from that contest that will help them against France.

Nigeria also see this as a great opportunity to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history and will be more determined to beat the highly gifted Frenchmen.

They are also seeking to become only the fourth African nation to appear in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) have done this at previous tournaments.

Germany v Algeria

World Cup last 16 game two on Monday will see Germany facing a very tricky Algeria side, which finished second to Belgium in Group H. This game is being played at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre.

Algeria, making their World Cup debut in the knockout stage, comes into the game with no pressure as they look to continue their mini success over the European giants. The African side has beaten Germany in their last two meetings, but head into this contest knowing that all the focus will be on their opponents, who are the favourites.

Germany, in the meantime, acknowledged that they are the favourites to book a quarter-finals place, but will not take anything for granted against an Algeria side which proved that they can score goals, especially on the counter-attack.

Attacker Mario Gotze, who was rested against USA in the last group stage game, is set to return to the starting lineup, but Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski misses out due to a thigh injury he suffered in the last game.

Sami Khedira could also return to the setup after he was rested against the United States. Bastian Schweinsteiger started that game, which Germany won 1-0 to top the group.

Points Standings and World Cup Results on June 21

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(SportingAlert) – The following are the FIFA World Cup results and points standings after the scheduled games on Saturday, 21 June.

Argentina and Nigeria both picked up victories in Group F on the bench, while Germany and Ghana played to a four-goal 2-2 thriller in Group G on the same day.

Barcelona forward and national captain Lionel Messi scored the only goal as Argentina left it late to beat a battling Iran 1-0 and booked their last 16 place from Group F. Argentina goes top of the group standings with six points.

Also on the day, Nigeria beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 in Cuiaba and ended Edin Dzeko and Co. hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages after suffering back to back defeats.

Group G remains wide open after Germany failed to beat Ghana and need a result in their last game against the USA to secure a last 16 place.

Both Ghana and Germany played out an entertaining 2-2 tie.

World Cup Results on June 21

Group F
Argentina 1 Iran 0
Nigeria 1 Bosnia 0

Group G
Germany 2 Ghana 2

Bold teams qualified for last 16.
Group A
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Brazil 2 1 1 0 3 1 4
Mexico 2 1 1 0 1 0 4
Croatia 2 1 0 1 5 3 3
Cameroon 2 0 0 2 0 5 0

Group B
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Netherlands 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
Chile 2 2 0 0 5 1 6
Australia 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
Spain 2 0 0 2 1 7 0

Group C
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Colombia 2 2 0 0 5 1 6
Ivory Coast 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
Japan 2 0 1 1 1 2 1
Greece 2 0 1 1 0 3 1
*Denotes qualified for last 16

Group D
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Costa Rica 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
Italy 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Uruguay 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
England 2 0 0 2 2 4 0

Group E
Standings P W D L F A Pts
France 2 2 0 0 8 2 6
Ecuador 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
Switzerland 2 1 0 1 4 6 3
Honduras 2 0 0 2 1 5 0

Group F
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Argentina 2 2 0 0 3 1 6
Nigeria 2 1 1 0 1 0 4
Iran 2 0 1 1 0 1 1
Bosnia 2 0 0 2 1 3 0

Group G
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Germany 2 1 1 0 6 2 4
United States 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Ghana 2 0 1 1 3 4 1
Portugal 1 0 0 1 0 4 0

Group H
Standings P W D L F A Pts
Belgium 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
South Korea 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Russia 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Algeria 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

Nigeria v Iran World Cup Live Streaming on ESPN3/ESPN

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(SportingAlert.com) — Nigeria will look for a positive start to the 2014 World Cup tournament when they take on Iran in their Group F opener on Monday.

Nigeria v Iran Live Streaming on ESPN/ESPN3.com

Efe Ambrose, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo will form a very solid back-four for the Super Eagles, with John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses starting in midfield in what seems like a 4-5-1 formation.

Emmanuel Emenike has been selected as the lone striker this evening, with Ejike Uzoenyi, Peter Odemwingie and Shola Ameobi all on the bench.

Iran will be hoping to spring a surprise on Nigeria and secure the three points, as Reza Ghoochannejhad, Ehsan Haji Safi, Javad Nekounam, Andranik Timotian and Ashkan Dejagah were all named in the starting lineup by head coach Carlos Queiroz.

Iran comes into the tournament without any real expectations of making it beyond the group stage and Queiroz is happy that his team is under the radar, which means the players can now just go out and play football.

FIFA World Cup TV Channels, live streaming coverage – Day 5

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(SportingAlert.com) — TV Channels and live streaming coverage for day five of the FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil on Monday. There are three games on the schedule for the fifth day.

Germany, USA, Portugal, Ghana, Iran and Nigeria will all be in action on what is expected to be another very exciting day of football.

In the Group G opening match at Arena Fonte Nova, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will take on a very talented Germany side at 12pm ET (13:00 Local time). Ronaldo has been hampered by an injury, but the Portugal captain declares himself ready to play.

“I’m ready, I’m feeling well. I want to play and help the national team,” the Real Madrid forward said. “If I’m not fit, I’ll be the first to tell the coach.

“If I feel something, and I am sure I won’t feel anything during the game, I will not risk my career.”

Live streaming and TV channel coverage of this game will be on: CBC Sports Live Streaming, ARD Live Stream, UTV, RTE 2, RTE Player, RTE 1, The ITV Player, TalkSport Radio, ITV 1 UK, UTV, STV Scotland, ESPN3, WatchESPN, ESPN, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports Arabia 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD.

The second game on the day comes from the Arena da Baixada with African powers Nigeria facing Iran in Group F at 3pm ET (16:00 Local time). Nigeria and Iran are in the same group as Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina, two very good sides, so both teams will be hoping to take maximum points from this fixture before the predicted tougher games down the road.

Live streaming and TV channel coverage of this game will be on: SuperSport Select, SuperSport HD 3 Nigeria, Canal+ Ouest, SLGO, SuperSport 3 Africa, Canal+ Centre, SuperSport 3 Nigeria, CBC Sports Live Streaming, UTV, RTE 2, RTE Player, RTE 1, The ITV Player, ITV 1 UK, UTV, STV Scotland, ESPN3, WatchESPN, ESPN, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports Arabia 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD.

The final match on Monday takes place in Group G at Arena das Dunas, as the United States open their 2014 World Cup campaign against cup rivals Ghana, the team which has dumped them from the last two tournament. So when the game kicks off at 5pm ET (19:00 Local time), Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA will be trying stop Ghana from completing a hat-trick of World Cup victories against them.

Live streaming and TV channel coverage of this game will be on: ESPN, ESPN3, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes, Univision Deportes En Vivo, The BBC iPlayer, BBC One UK, RTE 2, RTE Player, CBC Sports Live Streaming, TSN 1050 Toronto, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports Arabia 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD.

Nigeria v Greece World Cup Friendly Live Score Update

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(SportingAlert.com) — Nigeria take on fellow World Cup qualifiers Greece in a pre-tournament game this evening at PPL ParK in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Among the starters for the African giants are English Premier League players Peter Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, while Kenneth Omeruo and Emmanuel Emenike also start as well.

Meanwhile, for Greece, Celtic forward Georgios Samaras starts this time on the substitutes’ bench, but is expected to get some time.

Nigeria drew its last two World Cup tune-up games, playing to a 2-2 draw with Scotland last week and a 0-0 tie against Mexico prior to that.

The Super Eagles will complete their World Cup preparation on Saturday in their final friendly against the United States at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.

Greece played to a scoreless draw with Portugal in their last warmup game last week Saturday.

Nigeria will compete in Group F alongside Iran, Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The African side’s first game is on June 16 against Iran.

Follow Live Scores and Updates Here | Watch Live Streaming on beIN Sports Play

Mexico v Nigeria Live Streaming ESPN3 and WatchESPN

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(Sporting Alert) — Manchester United forward Javier Hernández has been handed a starting for Mexico for tonight’s friendly football international clash against Nigeria.

Mexico v Nigeria Live Streaming ESPN3 and WatchESPN

Hernández has been struggling with his form this season and has not been getting a lot of playing time under new manager David Moyes.

There were many who believed the forward should not have been included in the squad, but has been handed a place in the starting XI to try and prove his critics wrong.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer and he’s happy to get some playing time.

“I am very eager to play as my club don’t take me much into account. I hope I have the opportunity to play,” he told Record.

“When you are called up, you have to be thankful and if not called up, you have to keep working. I am very happy and thankful with this call-up, like I was when I was called up for the first time.”

Also starting tonight for Mexico are Guillermo Ochoa, Rafael Márquez, Andrés Guardado, Hector Herrera Rubio and Oribe Peralta.

Meanwhile for Nigeria, English Premier League players Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi are both in the starting team.

VIDEO: Watch Nigeria Stunning Comeback 4-3 Win Over Morocco

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CAPE TOWN (Sporting Alert) — A stunning second half display saw Nigeria rallied from a three goal deficit to beat Morocco 4-3 in the first quarter-finals at the African Nations Cup Championships at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Watch Nigeria Stunning Comeback 4-3 Win Over Morocco

Before kick-off, both coaches picked the game as perhaps the clash of the tournament, but after the opening 45-minutes, things weren’t going according to that plan for the Super Eagles.

The Atlas Lions, through goals from Mohsine Moutouali, who scored twice and Mouhssine Iajour, raced off to a 3-0 lead after 41 minutes and headed into the half-time break comfortably ahead.

However, Nigeria rallied to complete one of the most stunning comebacks, as Ugonna Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ali and a 90th minute goal from Christantus Ejike Uzoenyi, forced the game into extra-time.

After they were made to work for their three goals in regular time, Nigeria got a gift in extra-time after Morocco goalkeeper Nadir Lamyaghri failed to collect a ball cleanly and Abubakar Ibrahim reacted first to slot home the spill and send the Eagles into the semi-finals.

African Nations Championship Quarter-final Schedule

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CAPE TOWN (Sporting Alert) — The following are the quarter-final matches for the African Nations Championship 2014 on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25-26.

On Saturday, Nigeria will take on Morocco at Cape Town Stadium in the first quarterfinal, before Mali and Zimbabwe do battle at the same venue.

Many believe the clash between the Super Eagles and the Atlas Lions is shaping up to be the match-up of the tournament and Morocco coach Hassan Benabicha also thinks so.

“The two games against Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso were wake up calls for us. We however, showed against Uganda what we are capable of doing,” said Benabicha.

“The match against Nigeria should be the match of the tournament; talk of a final before the final and this is it.”

On Sunday, Ghana and DR Congo face-off in what is expected to be another exciting quarter-final clash at Free State Stadium, after Gabon and Libya battle in the opening game on the day, which is schedule for Peter Mokaba Stadium.

African Nations Championship Quarter-final Schedule (Time GMT)

01-25-2014 Nigeria v Morocco – 17:00
01-25-2014 Mali v Zimbabwe – 20:30
01-26-2014 Gabon v Libya – 17:00
01-26-2014 Ghana v RD Congo – 20:30