Heartland Queens fell to an uninspiring 0-2 defeat to perennial rivals, Delta Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) matchday 2 clash on Wednesday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
First half of the highly expected explosive encounter ended barren with limited opportunities coming from the combatants.
However, at resumption of play the visitors showed more purposeful football and pushed more players upfront and they were rewarded with the match opener off the foot of Mercy Omokuo.
Heartland Queens immediate response to the shocker was to throw in more players to strengthen the attack and push for the equaliser.
The trio, Ezinne Wokocha, Ugobest Osuji and Prudent Ugoh were pulled out and in their places came in Chizoba Orji, Ngozi Owuama and Sharon Onwere.
Bullish midfielder, Favour Dagogo took her place on the bench to allow much experienced teammate, Chioma John to step up from where she stopped aimed at evening scores with the opponents.
The changes did not instantly proved impactful as the Asaba side continued to enjoy the upper hands in ball control, possession and incessant attack on the homers’ vital area was endless.
And predictably they were rewarded with the second goal off the foot of Favour Chinaza Agoh in the dying minutes of the clash.
Even the coming in into the fray of the Owerri side’s hitherto super sub, Mary Okorie for Chinwendu Orji only proved academic as the Asaba side wrapped up the day’s business on an emphatic two unreplied goals thereby extending their almost two-year dominance in all competitions of the Owerri Landladies.
The loss to Delta Queens was the second for the Owerri side in the two-week old 2022/2023 NWFL Premiership having been benched in the opener to the Abuja-based side, Naija Ratels.
Up next for Heartland Queens is a crunch encounter at the reigning champions and Africa’s third best team, Bayelsa Queens in Yenagoa on Wednesday, December 14.
