The Super Falcons of Nigeria carried high expectations into the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand/Australia, they have a chance to repay the faith shown in them when they take on co-host Australia on Thursday morning.
They started their campaign last Friday with a goalless draw against Canada, a match that could have ended in defeat for the Falcons had goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie not stepped up to save Christine Sinclair’s penalty in the 50th minute. Her heroic save earned her the Player of The Match prize.
That leaves the Falcons needing victory against Australia if they want to advance to the Round of 16. The game will kick off at 10:45am on GO Select 1 (ch. 63). But, the co-hosts will be no easy opponent. Having won their first match against Republic of Ireland 1-0, thanks to Stephanie Catley’s 52nd minute penalty, the Australians will be in good spirits heading to this tie.
They currently lead Group B on three points, Nigeria and Canada are joint second on one point each, while Republic of Ireland sits bottom of the table. The Falcons will be keen to see the tables turn, starting with defying the roars of the home crowd to defeat Australia on Thursday.
Coach Randy Waldrum has his work cut out for him. While the team’s defence quartet of Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin and Ashleigh Plumptre put on a gritty display to secure a clean sheet against Canada, the attacking players were underwhelming. He needs to get the best out of the talismanic Asisat Oshoala to boost the team’s overall firepower.
Waldrum will be without teenage midfield sensation, Deborah Abiodun, who got a red card in the dying minutes of the Canada tie following a poor tackle on Lawrence Ashley. But, he will be delighted with the return of Atletico Madrid’s forward, Ajibade Rasheedat, who was suspended for the Canada clash.
Ajibade’s availability will leave the coach with a selection headache on the best attacking formation to deploy against Australia. Having settled for the trio of Oshoala, Francisca Ordega and Ifeoma Inumonu in the first game, he now has to decide whether to start Ajibade or introduce her along with the experienced Desire Oparanozie as substitutes.
Thursday’s tie could make or mar the Falcons. Victory will see them take a step closer to qualification, but defeat could spell doom for them. Draw is not also desirable, that would pile more pressure on the Falcons ahead of their clash against the Republic of Ireland.
In the early hours of Thursday, reigning champions United States will take on Netherlands at 1:45am on GO Select 1 (ch. 63) followed by another clash between Portugal and Vietnam at 8:30am GO Select 1 (ch. 63).
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