After yesterday’s superb game in Brisbane between Australia and Nigeria, Impetus‘ African Football Correspondent Emmanuel Faith, who watched the game in Nigeria reflects on his nation’s achievement, whilst Ben Gilby, based in Australia for the tournament, reports the thoughts of Matildas’ midfielder Katrina Gorry (28/7/23)
Above: Nigeria celebrate after a night of high drama in Brisbane. Photo: CAF.
History made, records broken
by Emmanuel Faith, Impetus‘ African Football Correspondent in Nigeria
When the final whistle was blown-the reactions were contrasting: an ecstatic jubilant Super Falcons splattered the field with joy, almost preventing the audience from noticing the crestfallen demeanour of the hosts, the Matildas.
The African Queens have just made history-a lot of it actually. From Onome Ebi becoming the oldest African and the second oldest player to feature in the World Cup, to Asisat Oshoala becoming the first African to score in three World Cups.
Both teams were without key players, to be fair to the host, the absence of both Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler was probably a bigger blow than the initial absence of the Falcons’ Talisman Asisat Oshoala, who couldn’t start the game because of a knock (and reported illness), and the suspension of the latest discovery – Deborah Abiodun, whose work rate has been compared with the famous French midfielder Ngolo Kante.
Additionally, unlike the hosts, The Falcons had the injection of two players (Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde) who missed out on the first match due to suspension.
The match started with a swing of momentum as the Super Falcons grew into the game, Uchenna Kanu saw a ball flash across the Matildas’ defence and Ucheibe had a shot go over the post. There were more flurry of chances as Uchenna Kanu slipped while attempting to connect with a through pass from Tony Payne, and Ashleigh Plumptre re-directed a freekick that might have been a routine save for Mackenzie Arnold.
The hosts however grew into the game with Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross dictating the tempo and thwarting any build-up play from the Africans. This pressure led to a couple shots on target and an array of corners. However, the first goal came from an open play in the first minute of extra-time after Chiamaka made a poor goal kick that was intercepted and laid off to Caitlin Foord who found Emily Van Egmond to score with a glorious pass.
The Super Falcons, with momentum on their side equalised with the last action of the half as Uchenna slotted in a deflected shot from Ajibade ensuring the match was even at half-time.
The second half opened with a flurry of actions as both teams played cautiously while being adventurous on the breaks and counters while the host nation were buoyed by the buzzing stadium lit up with shimmering green and gold.
This buzz however halted when Nigeria’s coach Randy Waldrum made a change in the 64th minute, five-time African player of the year – Asisat Oshoala who came on for the goal scorer, Uchenna Kanu. It didn’t take long for her impact to be felt as her first touch led to a corner that led to Nigeria’s second goal.
A narrowly defended corner kick bounced in and around the box and landed on Ajibade who nodded the ball towards the goal. Arnold attempted to make a save but the ball fell into the path of the experienced defender Osinachi Ohale who put her body in the line to get the ball into the net, however the wonder of the day was yet to happen.
In the 71st minute, Tony Payne who had been amazingly brilliant all evening sent a pin-point ball to Australia’s box with Asisat already making a run. It should have been better dealt with by Kennedy but a moment of error didn’t go unpunished as Asisat pounced on the loose ball for a clean finishing at a rather tight angle – the world went agog, and Nigeria had a two-goal lead.
The Aussies huffed and puffed and finally broke-down a really disciplined resilient Nigeria’s defence as Kennedy nodded home from a corner in the ninth minute of extra time. However, the Super Falcons ensured they held onto their lead to secure their first win of the tournament.
What we learnt
The Matildas missed their star player. As it was with the opening game, the absence of Kerr was obvious as there were a lot of balls that would have been played differently if it was the PFA player of the year leading the line. Caitlin Foord did her best and Van Egmond put in a decent shift, but the return of Kerr will be very crucial if the co-host will have a sniff of the second round.
Critics have slammed Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum for his poor decision making when it comes to making substitutions, he is either making them at the last minute or being stingy with his choices, but yesterday, he optimised the strength of his bench to get the desired results.
Removing Ifeoma Onumonu and Uchenna Kanu for Esther Okoronkwo and Asisat Oshoala was great as it enabled Toni Payne and Ucheibe to play more advanced positions as Esther slotted into the midfield. It was Payne who combined with Oshoala to score the third and very important goal.
What next?
Australia plays Canada in their last match and the host might need Kerr to win her race against fitness if they are to progress against the Olympic champions. They need at least a point (while hoping the Super Falcons lose by a margin of two goals against Ireland) or a victory to qualify, whereas the Canadians just need a draw.
The Super Falcons will hope to ride on this momentum and pick up maximum points against a really superb Ireland team who has nothing to play for asides pride, but pride sometimes is everything.
The African giants have sent a message to the world, the underdogs are being inspired to cause more upsets, and if the evidence we have seen so far is true, then the world should watch out for what the Super Falcons have in store. Right now, they are soaring and the world is watching them reach new heights.
Gorry: There were positives but we have to manage the transitions better
by Ben Gilby in Australia.
Australia midfielder Katrina Gorry emphasised the need for her team to focus on the positives in their performance against Nigeria and use the home crowd to drive them forward to gain the win they need against Canada on Monday to make it into the last 16.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, Gorry highlighted the fact that despite missing key attacking players, and having unsettling moments at the back, The Matildas did look good coming forward.
“It’s obviously disappointing, I still think we created a lot of chances. We kept possession of the ball well, so there were some positives to take out of the game. We’ve got to be ready (for the Canada game on Monday) and we’ve got to recover well and be prepared.”
However, the Queenslander was well aware of the aspects of play that let the co-hosts down and emphasised those areas they need to work on before Monday: “We need to regain second balls and have our defence in the best positions so we don’t get done on the transitions.
“It’s going to be a good game against Canada. We both need a win. We know we are good when our backs are against the wall. We believe in ourselves and know we have the home crowd advantage (in our favour.)”
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