“Score a goal and not get scored against.” That was Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop’s light-hearted answer when asked how Australia would go about beating Nigeria, their Women’s World Cup group B opponents, in Brisbane on Thursday evening.
But the answer belied the seriousness with which the Matildas are taking the challenge posed by Nigeria. If Australia win, it will guarantee progression to the round of 16 – with one match to spare. The Matildas are not underestimating their opponents, though, who looked dangerous in a goalless opening encounter with Canada on Friday.
“We’ve done a lot of training together, so I think we just need to stick to our process, our game plan, our tactics,” Yallop said. “They’re going to be physical and fast – we’ve prepared for it and [need to] make sure we stick to our game.”
Nigeria attackers Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega troubled Canada’s defence, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty from Christine Sinclair to keep the Super Falcons in the game.
“There’s an unpredictability to them, which makes it a little bit difficult,” said Yallop. “But we’ve trained for that in our prep. It’s about being focused in every moment against them.”
Yallop is one of the few Matildas to have played Nigeria before, at the 2015 World Cup in Winnipeg, Canada. Kyah Simon scored twice to ensure a comfortable win for Australia. But Yallop expects a tougher challenge against the 11-times Africa Cup of Nations champions this time around.
“I think they’ve changed a lot,” said Yallop. “I think it will be a very different game to 2015, but they still have all those qualities from before. I think it will be a very competitive football match and something we’re not taking lightly.”
Matildas defender Charlotte Grant, recently named PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year, identified Nigeria’s wide players as the biggest threat Australia will face.
“You saw in the Canadian game – they had some really good break-outs,” said Grant. “We definitely need to be prepared for that. They have two of the fastest wingers probably in the tournament – so it’s going to be a really exciting test, we’re looking forward to it.”
The Matildas struggled to break down Ireland in their opening clash of the Women’s World Cup, needing a penalty to secure victory at a sold-out Stadium Australia. Ireland’s defensive strategy, with a back-five and two holding midfielders, stymied the Matildas’ preferred counter-attacking style.
But Grant was optimistic that Nigeria’s attacking style could play into the Matildas’ hands, even without captain Sam Kerr, who will miss the game due to a calf injury.
“Hopefully that [style] opens up space for us – that’s where we thrive, our wingers, our full-backs,” she said. “But you never know, maybe they’ll change their game plan. We have to be ready for anything and stay disciplined whatever they throw at us.”
Nigeria’s preparations for the World Cup have been plagued by pay disputes and a falling out between coach Randy Waldrum and the Nigerian Football Federation. But the players have indicated they will put the dispute behind them as they focus on the tournament.
