If playing for a draw was the objective, then Waldrum was unsuccessful as Spain secured a slim but well deserved 1:0 win.
Ratings.
Nnadozie: She produced a phenomenal save to dive low and parry to her right off a corner kick. Her distributions were hits or misses. She manufactured several routine and top quality saves and commanded her area with authority.
I was totally satisfied with her performance. 8/10
Alozie: I think she was guilty of not helping the team retain possession at times. She defended admirably well but some crosses sneaked in from her area.
I respect the professionalism she brings to bear but I expected far greater composure on the ball from her. 6/10
Ohale: A few jitters earlier on but she grew into the match with fabulous tackles and interceptions with impeccable timing. A goal mouth clearance was the peak of the bunch.
She filled me with confidence with her display which made me enjoy her time on the ball. 7/10.
Demehin: She gave away the freekick for the goal which will haunt her. She hardly put a foot wrong and got stuck in crucial tackles, interceptions and shieldings.
I love the confidence she exuded and how she interacted with others. 6/10
Okeke: A much better confident defensive display and she functioned very well with Okoronkwo and others down the left in decent passages of possession play. She was undeterred and unyielding in 1 v 1 situations.
She lifted my spirit on the ball with her attempts to support passing routines. 6/10
Ucheibe: She retrieved and recycled the ball severally. She exchanged neat passes with others even though she lost the ball at times. Still, Ucheibe did well defensively but less so offensively.
Her focused performance drew me in but left me hanging when she couldn’t help retain possession for long. 6/10
Abiodun: She was phenomenal in wriggling out of tight spots and breaking down the play of the Spaniards with well timed and eloquent retrievals, blocks, markings and interceptions. Her interactions with others led to neat passings.
Abiodun grabbed my attention and locked it in place delightfully whenever she was on the ball. I was fully invested in her game. 8.5/10
T. Payne: She was largely anonymous. He markings and shieldings off the ball contributed to frustrating Spain. She kept her passing simple but they weren’t transformative.
She didn’t excite me on the ball at all but I respect her professionalism even though much was expected of her ball retention skills than she actually delivered. 5/10
Ajibade: Oh dear! She couldn’t clear her feet of cobwebs when put clean on goal earlier whilst blasting another effort sky high. She was involved in some clever interchange of passes with Alozie, Okoronkwo and others before the moves broke down prematurely whilst she defended well and moved swiftly with the ball.
To be honest, those misses left a bad taste on my tongue but her defensive work compensated somewhat. 5/10
Oshoala: She could really have had 2 assists had Ajibade taken those chances after a clever through ball and an excellent hold up play from Agba-Baller. She rolled her sleeves to do the dirty work in midfield and earned a yellow card for her troubles. She was calm and her passes were neat but perhaps she could have taken initiative to try and score when on 1v1 rather than waiting and passing to Ajibade who wasted it anyway.
It was a soothing and emollient experience when Oshoala was on the ball as her composure grew on me. 6.5/10
Okoronkwo: She swapped wings with Oshoala severally to orchestrate passing maneuvers. I clapped once when she took on several Spanish players successfully to drive into their area with conviction in her dribble. She really supported the left fullback area well. She combined well with Ajibade to carve out a scoring opportunity and she almost connected with a cross from Oshoala.
I was thrilled by some of her touches which held immense appeal for me but I had hoped it would result in a goal. 6.5/10
Subs
Onumonu: She continued to be an ineffective winger as I struggle to see what Randy Waldrum likes in this player.
Onumonu has a steely focused look which contributes to her imposing screen presence. Her overall defensive professionalism makes me tolerate and respect her. 5/10
N. Payne: She slotted into right back admirably well but didn’t deliver a pass of note.
Payne was so-so today and she radiated this warmth on the ball which made me look forward to seeing her in action.
Iheuzo: She got into mouthwatering positions and ran at goal only to apply saveable technique. She came in with urgency and potentials which went unfulfilled.
She got my heart racing with that big chance but, hey-ho, these things happen. Best of luck next time, mate. 5/10
Kanu: Anybody who noticed anything meaningful she did can come and rate her.
Me, I’m done!
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