- Super Falcons inch towards last-16 stage
- The Matildas’ hopes of progressing in jeopardy
- As USA deny Netherlands victory in Group E 1-1 thriller
Nigeria’s Super Falcons caused a major upset at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup as they stunned hosts, Australia by three goals to two in their Thursday morning matchup between Group B matchup inside the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
In what many pundits did not see coming, the Nigerian Ladies came out of the halftime break blazing as they scored two key goals to send their Australian counterparts, ‘The Matildas’ into a mourning mood
Australia, who were again without star striker Sam Kerr, took the lead through Emily van Egmond but Nigeria equalised on the stroke of halftime before goals from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala stunned the host nation.
In putting Nigeria ahead, Ohale’s goal was a punctuating header that clearly shook the Australians and their vociferous supporters. Thereafter, FC Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala, who came into the game as a substitute, quickly made her impact felt by scoring to give the Super Falcons a two-goal advantage over the Matildas.
In the match’s final moments, Australia’s Alanna Kennedy converted a corner kick to reduce the deficit to 3-2. However, the Super Falcons showed great composure to hang on and ultimately hold on to their lead after more than 11 minutes of stoppage time.
With the defeat, Australia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup are now in danger. The tournament co-hosts must now beat the Olympic champions, Canada on Monday in their crunch meeting in Melbourne on Monday to hopefully advance to the knockouts (last-16) stage.
Again, playing without star striker Sam Kerr, Australia drew the first blood as they took the lead through Emily van Egmond and Nigeria equalised on the stroke of halftime.
In an earlier Group E encounter, defending Champions, the United States of America (USA) battled hard coming from behind to hold the 2019 tournament’s runners-up, the Netherlands 1-1 in a pulsating 90 minutes display
