Asisat Oshoala – Fortunebets

Nigeria and FC Barcelona Femeni forward, Asisat Oshoala, was yesterday listed in FIFA’s Technical Advisory Group on women’s football.

The Super Falcons Captain is the only current African player in the TAG headed by Jill Ellis, a former FIFA World Women’s Coach of the Year recipient. Ellis is also the only two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winning manager and current President of the San Diego NWSL club.

Also in the team is South Africa’s Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Desiree Ellis, Chelsea Coach, Emma Hayes and USA star, Alex Morgan.

Some of the topics on the agenda of the TAG include; Competitive balance, increased opportunities for underserved nations, a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, increased visibility and participation, FIFA international windows, prize money and the possibility of staging a biennial FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The TAG, which comprises players, coaches, referees, administrators, sports scientists and executives, features representation from each of the six continental confederations, held its second meeting on Friday 15 October.

Speaking on the TAG project, Jill Ellis said; “I’m honoured to be chosen by FIFA to lead this project.

“The growth of women’s football is a key objective for FIFA. Like any initiative, the first step is to gather all of the information and start to make next steps for how this advisory group can be impactful for tangible change for the growth and advancement of the women’s game.”

“It’s time for women’s football to definitely assume the importance it has at all levels and create its own path of growth and advancement, notwithstanding the obviously necessary coordination with the men’s game namely to avoid calendar overlaps.

Ellis highlighted further, “We will take the information gathered from the Technical Advisory Group and a wider consultation group to take informed ideas to a broader audience,”she concluded.

Women’s TAG Participants

Deyna Castellanos (VEN) – Current player

Desiree Ellis (RSA) – National team coach

Laura Georges (FRA) – Administrator / former player

Emma Hayes (ENG) – Club coach

Lindsey Horan (USA) – Current player

Karina LeBlanc (CAN) – Former player

Kristine Lilly (USA) – Former player

Alex Morgan (USA) – Current player

Doreen Nabwire (KEN) – Administrator

Asisat Oshoala (NGA) – Current player

Mark Parsons (ENG) – Club coach

Ricardo Rambo (BRA) – National team coach

Wendie Renard (FRA) – Current player

Ali Riley (NZL) – Current player

Lotta Schelin (SWE) – Former player

Dawn Scott (ENG) – Sports scientist

Kelly Smith (ENG) – Former player

Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb (GER) – Referee

Pia Sundhage (SWE) – National team coach

Jorge Vilda (ESP) – National team coach

Sun Wen (CHN) – Former player

Arsenal were put to the sword as an outstanding Barcelona side romped to a 4-1 win in their Women’s Champions League Group C opener.

Last season’s champions were in imperious form, with Mariona Caldentey, Alexia Putellas, Asisat Oshoala and Lieke Martens scoring the goals.

Frida Maanum grabbed a consolation for the Gunners, but only the performance of goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger stopped it from being a really embarrassing evening as she made a host of saves, including from Putellas’ stoppage-time penalty.

The keeper had to face 37 shots as Barca showed why they are favourites to retain their title.

Zinsberger got a sense of the sort of night she was in for after just seven minutes as she had to produce a top save to deny Caldentey.

The Gunners were second best in every department and facing incessant Barca pressure.

They eventually succumbed in the 31st minute and Zinsberger will have thought she could have done better.

The Austrian got down to save Oshoala’s low shot, but she could only parry it into the path of Caldentey who coolly slotted home the rebound.

Arsenal could not cope with the pace of Oshoala and she created the second three minutes before the break as she raced down the right and pulled back for Putellas to tap in from close range.

Jonas Eidevall’s side were relieved for the refuge of the dressing room at half-time as the first 45 minutes ended with a 19-0 shot count in the home side’s favour.

Any hopes of a second-half comeback were quickly put to bed as Barcelona added a third. Oshoala deservedly got on the scoresheet with a cool finish in the 47th minute.

Arsenal enjoyed a rare spell of dominance and got a goal back in the 73rd minute as Maanum bundled home with her hip from close range, but it was only a consolation.

Martens, dangerous off the bench, made it four, slotting home after being sent clear and it should have been five but the excellent Zinsberger saved Putellas’ late spot-kick.