Australia’s Charli Grant anticipates open contest against Nigeria 

By Wale Mustapha

Australia defender Charli Grant is envisaging an end to end affairs when the Matildas take on Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the second group encounter in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The tournament co-host nation who recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Ireland in their opening game will be aiming to record victory which will secure their place in the knockout stages.

However, Grant believed the game against Super Falcons will be a different approach to their first match as she expect the African side to be more offensive which will allow the attackers to operate better.

“It’ll probably be a bit more of an open game on Thursday because Ireland do sit in a block and Nigeria do like to press high,” Grant told media.

“So the game against Nigeria might even give Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord more of an opportunity to shine even more.”

“The message is we’ve just got to adapt and Cait and Mary played a really important role against Ireland,” she continued.

“Of course we want Sam out there but she’s just gonna give lots of energy to those girls that are playing her role.”