Nigeria stuns co-hosts Australia to deliver major shock at Women’s World Cup
Nigeria stuns co-hosts Australia to deliver major shock at Women’s World Cup
Nigeria stunned co-hosts Australia at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday, earning a famous 3-2 victory.
Emily
van Egmond threw home supporters into a frenzy shortly before halftime,
knocking home a sweeping move to put Australia ahead.
Uchenna
Kanu delivered the first sucker punch to damper the euphoria at the
Brisbane Stadium, somehow managing to rush home a scuffed cross to score
Nigeria's first goal of the 2023 tournament, with the stadium bouncing
as Australia fans rejoiced.
Osinachi Ohale's close-range header and Asisat Oshoala's
strike from a tight angle increased Nigeria's advantage in the second
half. Oshoala became the first African player to score in three Women's
World Cups by scoring.
Although Alanna Kennedy scored in the 10th
minute of extra time to offer Australia a late hope, Nigeria held on
for a remarkable triumph, sending the Super Falcons to the top of Group
B.
Nigeria now has a one-point advantage heading into its last
group game against already-eliminated Ireland, while Australia faces a
must-win encounter against Canada, trailing the Olympic champion by a
point.
"I'm so proud of them," Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum
remarked. "I told them after the game that nobody but us believed in
us." We had the idea that by working together, we could accomplish great
things, and they did."
"It came from a pure heart and desire to
compete and fight," Waldrum remarked. At the end, they threw everything
at us, and the players just resisted everything. I think it's a
testament to them that they put in such effort to get this result. "Who
would have guessed we'd score three goals against Australia?"
Upsetting the hosts
A World Cup host playing in front of their home crowd is always a sight to behold.
An
active audience, full of energy and song, cheering on their favourite
players kitted out in their home kit; and it was no different at
Brisbane Stadium.
The bouncing supporters, dressed in gold and
green, serenaded the Matildas during their play against Nigeria, both
sides' second game in the Women's World Cup.
As Australia
launched waves of assaults, shouts rose and then faded each time the
Matildas received the ball, giving way to a collective sigh when the
opportunity to score was lost.
In the backdrop, a drum beat
indicated time as Australian fans suddenly erupted into a synchronised
clap, encouraging their team to the opposite end of the pitch.
Van
Egmond ultimately repaid the supporters' enthusiasm and loyalty by
guiding a well-directed cross into the bottom corner and running to
celebrate with the rest of her teammates and coaching staff.
The
goal was welcomed with enormous, almost deafening acclaim, and it
appeared like Australia, which had defeated Ireland in its initial group
game, was well on its way to a place in the Women's World Cup knockout
stages.
The Super Falcons, on the other hand, had different plans.
Rasheedat
Ajibade's cross was diverted to Kanu in the centre of the box, and the
26-year-old was able to get just enough of a touch in amongst a sea of
legs to put the ball into the net.
The massively outnumbered
Nigerian fans in the audience were on their feet waving flags and
leaping up and down seconds after the equaliser, while the Australian
fans appeared forlorn and dejected.
Following the interval,
Australia continued to create chances, squandering chances from strong
positions in an attempt to reclaim the lead.
However, Nigeria scored next, which was quite unexpected.
Ajibade's
goalward header from a corner was only parried by Australia custodian
Mackenzie Arnold in the second phase of play, and Ohale was the happy
benefactor, heading in while receiving a kick in the stomach for her
bravery.
It was a sobering goal for Australia supporters after so
much anticipation leading up to the contest. Things got much worse when
Oshoala took advantage of some sloppy communication between Mackenzie
and her defence to tap in and extend Nigeria's lead.
While
Australian fans were trying to figure out how their side had shipped
three goals, little pockets of Nigerian fans were excitedly dancing and
waving their fists in the air.
Despite relentless pressure from
Australia and an incessant barrage of set pieces - the home side did
ultimately convert one of its 15 corners when Kennedy headed home in
injury time - Nigeria was able to withstand and prevent an equaliser.
The
Mathildas have been missing top striker Sam Kerr due to a calf injury,
which the team first stated would keep her out of the first two games.
Kerr
might make a comeback against Canada, with her side having to beat the
North American team to advance to the Women's World Cup quarterfinals.
If Australia draws with Canada, Nigeria must lose by at least two goals
to the Republic of Ireland to advance.
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