ABUJA – Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt on Friday in Abuja advanced to the final of the 2014 Women’s Federations Cup to contend for the trophy for the fifth consecutive time.
In the semi-final match played at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the National Stadium, the Port Harcourt-based side beat Delta Queens of Asaba 2-1 to pick the final match ticket.
The match saw both teams displaying their skills in a careful manner, until in the 38th minute, when Rivers Angels’ Lola Philips broke the deadlock from a corner kick.
They continued to dominate thereafter, but failed to double the lead before first half ended.
Four minutes after second half resumption, Ngozi Ebere doubled the lead.
The eventual winners went to rest afterwards, thereby allowing the Asaba-based Delta Queens to hold sway as they sought to retrieve the game.
Delta Queens eventually got a consolatory goal through Ngozi Okobi, who capitalised on a defensive blunder in the 59th minute.
Rivers Angels’ coach Edwin Okon told newsmen shortly after the match that their opponents gave them a good fight for the final ticket.
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He however said hard work and a winning mentality gave them success.
“It was a good match, because Delta Queens are not a pushover. They gave us a good fight for the final ticket and I expected it.
“They piled pressure on us through set-pieces, but we survived this as a result of hard work and the winning mentality we have,’’ Okon said.
The coach, however, said the club would work on being better at aerial balls before the final match, saying their deficiency in that area nearly worked against them against Delta Stars.
“Our opponents today (Friday) were a good side and they nearly got back into the game through aerial balls which we were not too good at.
“So, for now, we will go back home and work towards that in the final match in Lagos,’’ he said.
However, Delta Queens’ coach Zannas Eleta refused to comment on the match.
In the other semi-final match played in Abeokuta, Sunshine Angels defeated Nasarawa Amazons 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation time.
Rivers Angels will now meet Sunshine Angels of Akure in the final match on Aug. 16 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Rivers Angels had won the Federation Cup title four consecutive times since 2010, the latest being in 2013 when they beat Nasarawa Amazons 3-0.(NAN)
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