DRESDEN, Germany (AFP) - Both Canada and Nigeria are looking to sign off their women's World Cup campaigns with a much-needed win here on Tuesday when they clash in their final Group A game before going home.
Defeats to Germany and France have left both sides pointless in the group and with their European rivals set to progress to the quarter-finals, the north Americans and Africans are chasing victory to boost flagging confidence.
Canada captain Christine Sinclair is desperate to end the competition with three points after her side were hammered 4-0 by France in Bochum last Thursday.
After her side had gone down fighting in the 2-1 defeat to host Germany in the opening game in Berlin, Canada barely offered any resistance against the French, something Sinclair is eager to put right.
"As a team, we are determined to end the tournament on a high note," the 28-year-old told ESPN.
"We will try to show the world that our game against France was not truly who we are—we only had a bad game."
Sinclair became the first woman to score against Germany at a World Cup for almost 900 minutes when she slotted home a free-kick in the dying stages in Berlin.
The defending champions went through the entire 2007 campaign without conceding a goal, but Sinclair is frustrated that her team then slumped to such a heavy defeat by France.
"It was the first goal the Germans had given up in almost 900 minutes of football. For our team, it was a huge boost of confidence and we headed into our next game feeling good," she said.
Sinclair admits she was only 80 percent fit in the game against France as she played with a protective mask having had her nose reset after a stray elbow from a German defender broke it in Canada's first game.
"For that must-win game, we just didn't show up," she admitted.
"I am still frustrated that my injury happened in the most important tournament of my career.
"We are now faced with a game against Nigeria, with both teams having been already eliminated from the tournament and we have to play well."
Nigeria are heading home after a 1-0 defeat to France in their opening game was followed by another 1-0 reversal to Germany in Frankfurt am Main last Thursday in a bruising encounter.
"We have come here and learned a lot," said Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche.
"We are no longer in contention, but we are still playing for prestige and pride and we will go home and perfect our act for the next tournament.
"This time around, the tactical and technical improvements are there, the players are more determined and no longer see the European players as invincible.
"So I think we are getting close, the story has remained the same over the years, but I am convinced we are very close this time around."
Uche sparked controversy with anti-homosexual comments in a New York Times interview and was reprimanded by FIFA last week.
But Uche clearly has big ambitions for the African nation.
"I am convinced that with a little input we can rule the world," said Uche, who has been the Super Eagles coach since 2009.
Defeats to Germany and France have left both sides pointless in the group and with their European rivals set to progress to the quarter-finals, the north Americans and Africans are chasing victory to boost flagging confidence.
Canada captain Christine Sinclair is desperate to end the competition with three points after her side were hammered 4-0 by France in Bochum last Thursday.
After her side had gone down fighting in the 2-1 defeat to host Germany in the opening game in Berlin, Canada barely offered any resistance against the French, something Sinclair is eager to put right.
"As a team, we are determined to end the tournament on a high note," the 28-year-old told ESPN.
"We will try to show the world that our game against France was not truly who we are—we only had a bad game."
Sinclair became the first woman to score against Germany at a World Cup for almost 900 minutes when she slotted home a free-kick in the dying stages in Berlin.
The defending champions went through the entire 2007 campaign without conceding a goal, but Sinclair is frustrated that her team then slumped to such a heavy defeat by France.
"It was the first goal the Germans had given up in almost 900 minutes of football. For our team, it was a huge boost of confidence and we headed into our next game feeling good," she said.
Sinclair admits she was only 80 percent fit in the game against France as she played with a protective mask having had her nose reset after a stray elbow from a German defender broke it in Canada's first game.
"For that must-win game, we just didn't show up," she admitted.
"I am still frustrated that my injury happened in the most important tournament of my career.
"We are now faced with a game against Nigeria, with both teams having been already eliminated from the tournament and we have to play well."
Nigeria are heading home after a 1-0 defeat to France in their opening game was followed by another 1-0 reversal to Germany in Frankfurt am Main last Thursday in a bruising encounter.
"We have come here and learned a lot," said Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche.
"We are no longer in contention, but we are still playing for prestige and pride and we will go home and perfect our act for the next tournament.
"This time around, the tactical and technical improvements are there, the players are more determined and no longer see the European players as invincible.
"So I think we are getting close, the story has remained the same over the years, but I am convinced we are very close this time around."
Uche sparked controversy with anti-homosexual comments in a New York Times interview and was reprimanded by FIFA last week.
But Uche clearly has big ambitions for the African nation.
"I am convinced that with a little input we can rule the world," said Uche, who has been the Super Eagles coach since 2009.
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