FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Falcons Bank On Winning Mentality To Overwhelm Matildas

Nigeria and Australia will set alight the Lang Park in Brisbane/Meaanjin on Thursday night time in what is likely one of the most-anticipated clashes of the group stage at this ninth version of the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup finals.

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With the utmost three factors from their opening match in opposition to Republic of Eire in Sydney on 20 July, the Matildas know they’ve a struggle on their fingers in opposition to nine-time African champions, Tremendous Falcons, who refused to bow to Olympic champions Canada in Melbourne the next day.

The Super Falcons know solely a win will likely be ok to face them in good stead for a spot within the Spherical of 16, as solely the 2 top-placed groups in every of the eight teams will make progress in a event that has welcomed 32 groups for the primary time ever.

“In fact, it’s the World Cup. You must settle for the very fact that you’re going to play the very best groups on this planet and it’s important to be alive to that duty and face it together with your full chest,” group captain Onome Ebi instructed thenff.com after the event draw that was performed in Auckland, New Zealand in October 2022.

On Tuesday, Ebi reiterated the place of the Tremendous Falcons: “We’ll go in there and play to win. There are not any two methods about it. Solely three factors will likely be ok for us.”

Ebi says their five-match unbeaten streak is likely one of the callipers that can preserve the ladies going sturdy on a turf rather more acquainted to their opponents and in entrance of dozens of 1000’s of a partisan crowd on the Lang Park.

Earlier than the draw with Canada, the Tremendous Falcons had pipped Costa Rica 1-0, edged Haiti 2-1, trounced New Zealand 3-0 and slayed Lions Ladies’s Soccer Membership 8-1 earlier than the World Cup.

Nigeria is one among solely seven nations (the others being USA, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Japan and Norway) to have featured in each single version of the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup finals for the reason that competitors was launched in 1991. Australia missed the inaugural version in China, however have been at each different closing event since then.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has returned to coaching after being excused for at some point following the MVP-winning efficiency in opposition to Canada in Melbourne, and consistency is predicted within the number of the rearguard, with Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre on the wings, and veteran Osinachi Ohale and youthful Oluwatosin Demehin at central.

The co-hosts must do with out their talismanic captain Sam Kerr, who has been the face on most ads pertaining to the event right here.

Antithetically, Nigeria has gained with the return of the fabulous Rasheedat Ajibade – whose objective in opposition to Cameroon within the Ladies Africa Cup of Nations’ quarter-finals secured Nigeria’s passage to those finals – and midfield battering ram Halimatu Ayinde from suspension.

Asisat Oshoala, who suffered a knock in opposition to the Canadians, might be excused, with Nigeria sufficiently blessed in Want Oparanozie, Jennifer Echegini, Reward Monday and Uchenna Kanu.

Gusau spurs Tremendous Falcons to ‘preserve Africa’s hope alive’

President of Nigeria Soccer Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has charged the Tremendous Falcons to “preserve Africa’s hope alive” once they tackle co-hosts Australia of their second match of the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup finals on Thursday.

With the primary spherical of matches over on Tuesday, Nigeria is the one African flag-bearer but to style defeat.

“As nine-time champions of Africa, and one among solely seven nations to have performed in each version of the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup, Nigeria is the true big and hope of the African continent in Australia. Whereas we anticipate Morocco, Zambia and South Africa to show issues round of their subsequent matches, my message is that the Tremendous Falcons should focus laborious on the ball in opposition to the Australians in an effort to preserve Africa’s tune going.

“We had a powerful recreation in opposition to Canada, however I would like the ladies to place that feat out of their minds and give attention to the three factors in opposition to Australia. It may be executed,” Gusau stated.

Zambia misplaced 0-5 to Japan whereas South Africa had been edged 1-2 by Sweden, and Morocco fell 0-6 to Germany within the first spherical of matches.

“I’m charging the ladies to go all out. It is a match during which we have to rating objectives.”

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