The Super Falcons are, today, set for another epic clash with Australia, who defeated them 2-0 at the Canada 2015 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The game has vengeance written all over it, but today’s game at this edition being co-hosted by the Australians looks like a daunting task, at least on paper.
The task is even of more importance now that group rivals, Canada, defeated Ireland 2-1 yesterday to climb to the top of the group on four points. Australia have three points from their 1-0 defeat of Ireland on matchday one, while the Falcons are on one point after the opening day draw with Canada.
So, to harbor a reasonable hope of making the second round from this group, Nigeria must get at least a draw, Live betting which would put them in a comfortable position to beat Ireland on July 31 to make the second round. A win today automatically hands Australia a second round ticket, as they would jump to six points.
Incidentally, Nigeria’s encounter with Australia in 2015 was also a second group match, and the Australians emerged 2-0 winners at Winnipeg Stadium.
Perhaps, the battle of Winnipeg in 2015 could have been different, online sports betting if only the former coach, Edwin Okon, had listened to advise by some Nigerians, who warned against fielding Francisca Ordega as the team’s arrowhead.
A day to that encounter, some officials of the NFF Technical Committee were said to have met with Okon to deliberate on the technical approach to the game after watching video clips of some matches played by the Australians.
The Guardian learnt that one of the officials suggested then that it would be suicidal for the Super Falcons to field Ordega as the lead striker in the midst of tall Australian defenders, but Okon allegedly turned it down on the ground that Ordega’s ‘skills’ and ‘quick reaction’ would break down the Matildas’ defence.
It turned out to be a mission impossible for the Super Falcons, betting tips today as a ‘short’ Ordega was rendered ineffective throughout her stay in the game. Nigeria lost by two goals scored by Kyah Simon.
The Super Falcons look eager to produce another solid defensive display against the Matildas after their excellent goalless draw against Olympic champions, Canada, in their tournament curtain raiser, a result that will give them plenty of confidence coming into this encounter. That result against Canada was Nigeria’s first scoreless stalemate in 27 FIFA Women’s World Cup outings.
On the other hand, the co-host, Australia, got their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign off to a promising start with an opening victory against the Republic of Ireland, bet of the day and they will be looking to build on that against Nigeria today, as they bid to take a big step towards qualification for the knockout stage.
Australia have won their last three FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against African opposition, just as they have also won ten of their last 11 international matches and lost only one. The Matildas have also kept seven clean sheets in their last nine international fixtures, and have only failed to score in one of their last 21 FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches.
If past records are to count in today’s game in Melbourne, the Super Falcons will have to double their efforts, as Nigeria have won only two of their last 18 FIFA Women’s World Cup encounters. They drew three and lost 13.
However, some football analysts believe that today’s encounter against Australia could be different since the Super Falcons are under a new tactician, sports betting app America’s Randy Waldrum.
Although, Ordega is still available in the squad, the coach has many options upfront in today’s tie. Apart from AsisatOshoala, who could not deliver in the match against Canada, there are other strikers like American-born Nigerian player, Ifeoma Onumonu, Gift Monday, Uchenna Kanu and Rasheedat Ajibade.
