APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Thursday in Melbourne, Australia defeated the Matildas of Australia 3-2 in the second match of Group B in the ongoing Women’s World Cup jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
The Australians took the lead in the dying minutes of the first half through Egmood while Uche Kanu got the equalizer for Nigeria in the 5the minute of the extra time to bring the score line to 1-1.
The Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, made some tactical changes in the second half, which raised the team’s game from the pace it was in the first half. The changes paid off as Osinachi Ohale put the Super Falcons ahead in the 66th minute with the second goal when she delivered a grounder from a deflected pass from her team mate, Rasheedat Ajibade, to beat the opponent’s goalkeeper.
A substitute Asisat Oshoala got the third goal for the Super Falcons in the 72nd minute of the game after beating the goalkeeper and the defender to send the ball into the open net.
The Australians got their consolation goal through Alanna Kennedy, who headed in the ball from a corner kick in the 9th minute of the 11-minute extra time to bring the score line to 3-2.
With this score line, Nigeria top Group B with 4 points, having played a goalless draw with Canada in their opening match, while Canada is second with 4 points and Australia is third with 3 points. Republic of Ireland is fourth with no points yet.
In his post-match interview, Waldrum, said: “I’m so proud of them. I told them after the match no one believes in us, apart from us, and we had that belief together we could accomplish great things, and we did that tonight.
“I told Oshoala before the match that I needed her to give us the last thirty minutes. I felt very strongly she was going to get a goal, and she got the game-winning goal, so extremely proud of the effort.”
Nigeria will take on Republic of Ireland in the last game of Group B, while Australia will play Canada.
GIK/APA
Nigeria beat Australia 3-2 in Women’s World Cup
