Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Thursday afternoon beat co-host Australia 3-2 in their second Group B game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to move a, step closer to qualifying for the round of 16 stage of the tournament.
The nine-time African champions thus claimed their fifth victory in the history of the women’s World Cup.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelRandy Waldrum’s team had held Canada to a goalless draw in their first game last week Friday and required to get a good result against the Maltidas to stand a chance of progressing from the group.
However, after surviving a first half of Australian dominance, the Falcons conceded the first goal of the match in the 43rd minute through midifeld van Egmond who swept home the ball under the feet of Ashlegh Plumptre from distance as the Falcons’ sloppy defending went on.
The goal was the Aussie’s 31st international goal in 129 appearances.
Uchenna Kanu restored parity for Nigeria deep into added time as she pounced on a deflected ball after Rasheedat Ajibade delivered a cross inside the box.
The Falcons went inside the halftime break buoyed by their ability to withstand the pressure from the home side.
The Falcons doubled their lead just a minute into the second half through centre back, Osinachi Ohale, who bravely headed the ball into the net from close range.
The defender required medical attention as she took a knock on her stomach from an opposition player who was desperate to clear the ball.
Falcons head coach Waldrum made some changes inclusong Barcelona Femini striker Asisat Oshoala who made an instant impact.
The former Liverpool and Arsenal star chased down the ball from a long pass delivered by Toni Payne.
Oshoala out witted her marker and rounded goalkeeper Elizabeth Arnold to slid the ball into the far post.
The tension was palpable on the Australian substitute bench but they managed to reduce the arrears through Allana Kennedy as the match petered away.
The Falcons, who have never won a game at the Women’s World Cup from a losing position, will face debutants, Republic of Ireland in their last group game on Monday morning.
The Nigerian side would need to avoid a defeat against Ireland to book their place in the round of 16.
They are the only African side to have won a game thus far at the World Cup. The kick off is 11am Nigerian time on Monday.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
