FIFA Women’s World Cup: Matildas disaster as they lose 3-2 to Nigeria in Brisbane
The Matildas will head to Melbourne needing a win to guarantee a berth in the World Cup’s round of 16 after being stunned by Nigeria in a result which has blown Group B wide open.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Matildas’ World Cup dream is in danger of turning into a nightmare after a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Deservedly leading 1-0 after a goal in first-half stoppage time from Emily van Egmond, the Australians then went to sleep in front of a shell-shocked crowd of almost 50,000.
Goals from Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala secured the Super Falcons three crucial points in one of the FIFA Women’s World Cup’s toughest.
PLAYER RATINGS: WHO’S FEELING HEAT AFTER MATILDAS SHOCKER?
The Matildas – who scored a late consolation goal through Alanna Kennedy – have now dropped to third in Group B, trailing top two Nigeria and Canada by a point.
“I’m just frustrated, disappointed. But I’m just have to obviously move on from that now,” Kennedy said.
“I just think it was moments those those big moments right before halftime where we give up a goal and obviously the third goal is a moment.
“But for the majority of the game, we played well, you know, we had possession of the ball. We created chances and we put them under under a lot of pressure on their backs. So yeah, it’s obviously a frustrating result, but there’s a lot of positives for us to take out the game.”
With only the top two from each group qualifying for the round of 16, the Matildas’ showdown with the Canadians on Monday night in Melbourne now looms as a do-or-die affair for the World Cup co-hosts.
“Yeah, a bit disappointed with how the results came through,” attacker Cortnee Vine said.
“I thought we played really well. We attacked really well. We stuck to our game plan. It was kind of pretty physical. Got hit a few times.
“We’d have a knock in the head and their a physical fast team. They just keep going they they’re quick on transition. I found it quite difficult to keep up with them. And that’s coming from me that I find I’m quite quick. But yeah, they’re very difficult.”
A win over Olympic champions Canada will secure the Australians a top-two group finish.
However, should the Matildas lose, they will be sent packing from the tournament, while a draw also won’t be enough, unless in the unlikely event that Nigeria suffers a sizeable defeat on the same night in Brisbane against an Ireland side that has already been eliminated after losses at Australia and Canada.
The Matildas also must now decide whether to gamble on the fitness of injured captain Sam Kerr for the clash with the Canadians.
Sidelined with a calf injury, Kerr’s brilliance has been missed by Australia in attack.
However, depending on the severity of the injury, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson might not have a decision to make.
Wasted chances
The Matildas paid the price for a host of wasted opportunities, particularly in the first half
Acting captain Steph Catley came close to scoring for the second time in two World Cup matches when she forced a save out of Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 13th minute.
The Matildas continued to attack, with Caitlin Foord’s classy 19th-minute strike flying just wide of the post.
Winger Hayley Raso blew a golden opportunity to put the Matildas ahead after half an hour.
With the Nigerian defence failing to clear a corner, the ball fell for the oncoming Raso at the far post inside the six-yard box.
But perhaps slightly off-balance, the new Real Madrid signing failed to hit the target with an open goal beckoning.
Van Egmond found herself unmarked on the edge of Nigeria’s penalty area in the 37th minute and did well to wrap her boot around a bouncing ball, but her strike flew over the crossbar.
Australia’s attacking dominance finally paid off in first-half stoppage time when van Egmond gave the hosts a deserved lead.
However, the Matildas’ celebrations were short-lived, with Nigeria equalising in the sixth-minute of first-half stoppage time through Kanu.
Spurred on by the equaliser, the Nigerians went on with the job after halftime, with further goals from Ohale and Oshoala, who pounced on a moment of confusion between Alanna Kennedy and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Eager Emily
Perhaps the forgotten player of the Matildas squad, Emily van Egmond proved she can still be a force at international level with a busy display that included Australia’s first goal of the night.
For so long a constant member of Australia’s midfield, van Egmond lost her place in the Matildas’ engine room following last year’s return of Katrina Gorry after giving birth to her daughter Harper, and the emergence of young star Kyra Cooney-Cross.
But having come off the bench in Australia’s 1-0 win over Ireland last week, the 30-year-old Newcastle product was given a start against the Nigerians, replacing Mary Fowler, who fell victim to concussion at training on Tuesday.
.@Em_surf strikes her second #FIFAWWC goal âš½ï¸ #Matildas#TilitsDone
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/wyxvEXcVk8
And in her in 130th appearance for the national team, van Egmond didn’t let anybody down playing in a supporting role to forward Caitlin Foord.
The highlight of her return to the starting line-up was her 31st goal for the Matildas as she made the most of a good pass from Foord to slide the ball home in style.
However, that was to be the end of the Matildas’ joy.
MATCH COVERAGE
10.05PM: FULL-TIME: NIGERIA 3 AUSTRALIA 2
Well, that didn’t go to plan.
Australia now needs to defeat Canada on Monday night to be guaranteed a spot in the round of 16.
There will be some serious soul searching after what was a lacklustre second half which was almost salvaged by a late attacking flourish which included Kennedy’s headed goal.
10.03PM: KENNEDY SCORES
Alanna Kennedy scores from a header and it’s 3-2 with two minutes of added time left.
9.41PM: KENNEDY HEADS OVER
The Matildas are running out of chances here. Alanna Kennedy rises highest from a corner but can’t keep her header down.
Nigeria’s lead remains 3-1 but the Matildas are pressing as time whittles away.
A minute later, Caitlin Foord cuts inside and fires a curling effort just over the bar.
Where has this attacking enterprise been all game?
9.35PM: NIGERIA SCORES AGAIN
Asisat Oshoala makes the most of a defensive howler and the Matildas are staring at their first loss of the World Cup.
Alanna Kennedy tries to head the ball back to goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold but doesn’t get enough on it.
Oshoala pounces and finishes from a tight angle and from nowhere Nigeria leads 3-1.
That is one that Kennedy and Arnold won’t want to see again.
Clear the ball for f*#€ sake. Second ball - Sleeping 😴 #AUSvNGA
— Rob Cornthwaite (@robcornthwaite) July 27, 2023
9.34PM: WHAT OPENS DO MATILDAS HAVE?
Tony Gustavsson has limited bench options to try and draw the Matildas level, with Tameka Yallop and Alex Chidiac the best attacking players left available.
Both Yallop and Kyah Simon’s fitness levels have been kept under wraps, leaving Chidiac as the best option for Gustavsson should he look to go forward.
Clare Wheeler also shapes as a potential change, with the defensive midfielder a potential switch with Emily van Egmond, to allow Gorry to move into an attacking position.
9.28PM: DISASTER STRIKES FOR MATILDAS, NIGERIA LEAD
VAR can’t save the Matildas and Nigeria leads 2-1.
What a turnaround in Brisbane.
It looked like Katrina Gorry was playing the goalscorer Osinachi Ohale onside.
She’s been hurt while scrambling the ball over the line though and there’s a stoppage in play.
Not long after, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde is down injured as well for Nigeria.
9.22PM: NIGERIAN STAR LIMPS OFF
It looks like attacking midfielder Toni Payne will be out of the game after limping from the field with just over 30 minutes to play.
9.10PM: HOW WILL MATILDAS RESPOND?
Tony Gustavsson will be left to jolt the Matildas back into finding momentum after the team headed into the tunnels with heads down after Nigeria’s late equaliser and Caitlin Foord’s yellow card.
Channel 7 commentator and Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight was disappointed for her former teammates at giving up their advantage at a crucial moment before the half.
“So frustrating five or six minutes of extra time it’s hard to concede,” she said.
“You need to close the half out going in 1-0 up is such an advantage, 1-1 is frustrating.
“There would be a lot of adrenaline emotion, conceding in that manner you could tell Mackenzie Arnold was disappointed with Ellie Carpenter’s intent.
“Perhaps got a little caught out of position to let Nigeria get the cross in, they scored. It has teed up nicely in the second half.”
8.55PM: TILLY WERNER’S HALFTIME TAKE
324 days since she last started for the Matildas Emily van Egmond found the breakthrough, only for the Matildas to concede their first goal this World Cup just moments before half time.
The Matildas dominated possession through the first 45, getting a goal to show for it just in extra time when the level-headed van Egmond delivered a careful finish to put the Matildas ahead.
With Caitlin Foord the only striker available for a full match, the Australians knew options in front of goal would be limited and the Matildas midfield have been asking plenty from her.
Foord has fired some impressive shots against Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, but has looked frustrated by the pressure of Nigeria’s defence, with the best opportunities, including van Egmond’s goal coming from follow-up shots.
Nnadozie was the player of the match in Nigeria’s opener against Canada and is likely to continue to have her work cut out for her through the second-half as Australia look to reclaim their lead.
8.51PM: NIGERIA HITS BACK, 1-1
Disaster for the Matildas seconds before halftime. Uchenna Kanu levels for Nigeria and it’s all locked up in Brisbane at the break.
“The timing of it couldn’t be worse for the Matildas,” says commentator Izzy Christiansen.
8.47PM: VAN EGMOND SCORES!
Australia leads 1-0 in Brisbane as Emily van Egmond vindicates her selection with the opener.
The recalled midfielder ghosted into the box and produced a cool finish into the corner of the net.
8.25PM: CONCUSSION FEARS FOR ATTACKER
Not another one …
Australia was at risk of losing another attacker with Courtnee Vine briefly off the field for a concussion test.
She fell awkwardly after a challenge and appeared to jar her neck back toward the ground.
The good news is she returned not long after and appears set to play on.
you'd be joking with a third concussion in 48 hours, football gods #AUSNGApic.twitter.com/wpCaymi7iS
— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) July 27, 2023
8.20PM: FOORD FIRES WARNING SHOT
Caitlin Foord has come the closest to scoring for either side in the opening 20 minutes.
She dinks in from the left flank and fires a shot which is less than a metre wide of the right upright.
It’s been a cagey start but that was something to get the home fans off their seats.
8.10PM: ‘INDISPENSABLE’ CENTRE BACK SET FOR HUGE JOB
It’s been a steady start for the Matildas who did all the attacking in the opening few minutes before Nigeria enjoyed some territory.
That meant centre-back Claire Hunt was called into action and despite her inexperience at this level, she’s become crucial for the Matildas.
After a near flawless job against Republic of Ireland, she starts again in the centre alongside Alanna Kennedy.
Former Matilda and Channel 7 commentator Grace Gill has been impressed by the Western Sydney Wanderer’s maturity and intelligence on the ball.
“It’s about discipline and decision making on the ball, not diving into challenges, standing up in the big moments,” Gill said.
“Clare Hunt as an inexperienced player at this level, it will be a huge challenge for her, but to my eyes, she has proven herself at this level and she is now indispensable in this Matildas back line.”
8PM: KICK-OFF IN BRISBANE
The Matildas are underway in their second match of the FIFA World Cup.
Follow live here or via our match centre.
7.45PM: ‘NEVER-SAY-DIE’ MATILDAS PREPARE FOR DEPTH TEST
Matildas legend Heather Garriock says the Matildas’ “never-say-die” attitude will help them prevail without stars Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr.
Emily van Egmond will start in place of Fowler, who suffered concussion at training but is expected to be available for Monday’s clash with Canada.
Garriock said the Matildas’ spirit would take them a long way without arguably their two biggest stars.
“We are the never say die Matildas,” she said on Channel 7.
“They know that this game is massive. If we can win this game, then we’re through. First or second, doesn’t matter. It comes down to the last game against Canada, but I tell you what, this is where our character shines today.”
If they don’t play Chids tonight I’m giving Tony G the frowning of a lifetime from the stands #AUSvNGA#matildas
— Gayle McNaught (@GayleMcNaught) July 27, 2023
7.30PM: GIELNIK BACKS’ MATILDAS’ VAN EGMOND CALL
Emily Gielnik has full faith in her former Matildas’ teammate to step up into the starting line up.
Gielnik and Emily van Egmond have shared plenty of tournament football in Matildas colours, with Gielnik debuting in 2012, two years after van Egmond earned her first cap in 2010.
“(van Egmond) was my prediction,” Gielnik said.
“I felt like she has a wealth of experience. She will come into that midfield, dictate possession. She slots right in for me.”
Gielnik, who has 54 caps for Australia is watching for the sidelines – admitting “I’m not used to being here,” to Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney.
She made clear her disappointment at not being selected in the Matildas’ squad while wishing her teammates the best pre-match.
“It is sad, but it’s tournament football. Of course we’re missing a few crucial players but the girls will get the job done. We have amazing players,” she said.
A Queenslander herself, Gielnik and McAvaney both praised the building atmosphere in Brisbane Stadium.
“Voices can sometimes get lost in massive stadiums. This is the perfect size,” Gielnik said of Suncorp.
“The fans are right on top of the girls. It means a lot as a player when you can hear and the atmosphere is buzzing.
“The fans have turned out tonight. It’s unbelievable.”
7.15PM MATILDAS’ QUEENSLAND TAKEOVER
Football Queensland has contributed almost half the Matildas’ starting line-up, with five of the starting XI coming from the state.
They cover the midfield, with playmaker Katrina Gorry and her halves partner Kyra Cooney-Cross flanked by fellow Queenslanders Hayley Raso and Cortnee Vine.
Mackenzie Arnold rounds out the quintet from the goals.
She’ll be looking to keep a clean sheet in front of the Suncorp Stadium crowd, while Gorry will be looking for her favoured outside shots up the other end of the pitch.
“Tonight is incredible, it means so much to play here in front of our family and friends,” Katrina Gorry told Optus Sports’ Mark Schwarzer.
“I think half the stadium is my family.”
7.05PM FANS OUT IN FORCE IN BRISBANE
Matty Holdsworth
A Tilly takeover has unfolded in Brisbane as tens of thousands of green and gold fans descended on Suncorp Stadium.
Matildas fans have flocked to the iconic stadium, desperate to see Australia advance to the knockouts of the Women’s World Cup.
Caxton St has an atmosphere akin to an Origin spectacle with fans young and old buzzing to get a glimpse of their home grown heroes.
Sydney schoolteacher Sheridan Smith has taken five weeks off work and has secured tickets to 10 matches in the duration of the tournament.
“Before the tickets went on sale last October I said to my boss the Tillys are coming to Australia and he said no problem,” Ms Smith said from outside Lang Park.
“I work very hard and the community knows I’m supporting women’s sport you can’t miss it.”
Ms Smith, herself a former goalkeeper who was the only girl on her team aged 4, said it was an opportunity impossible to miss.
“Ten games all up and travelling around. I love them all, and the ones before them,” she said.
“The kids are loving it, sending photos and really getting behind it.
“It would be absolutely amazing to see this in my home country,.”
Sarah and Mark Brunello travelled all the way from cold Canberra just for tonight’s game.
The couple and children Samuel and Vivian are mega football fans and said the occasion was an early Christmas.
“We tried but failed to get tickets to the other Matildas’ games but we got Brisbane, so we are up here for a few days,” Mrs Brunello said.
“It’s going to be such a good night.
“Katrina Gorry and Hayley Raso, they’re our favourite players but we love them all.”
6.50PM TEAM NEWS
Emily van Egmond comes in for Mary Fowler with Tony Gustavsson putting together an experienced starting sheet for the Matildas’ match against Nigeria.
Van Egmond has been battling injury concerns for much of 2023 and was a late withdrawal from the Matildas’ match against England in April, but looked to have put it behind her when she came off the bench for Cortnee Vine in last week’s opener.
Fowler and van Egmond have vastly different playing styles, with van Egmond traditionally playing a deeper midfield role for the Matildas and club side San Diego Wave, and will likely look to send the ball wide through the speed of Vine or Hayley Raso.
There’s a significant out in the Nigerian camp however, with Barcelona striker Asishat Oshoala named to the bench.
The forward picked up a knock late against Canada and coach Randy Waldrum has opted to keep her fresh for their must-win match with Ireland.
Rash Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu also come into the midfield, following Abiodun’s red card last Friday.
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 27, 2023
Here's how we line up for our second #FIFAWWC group game against Nigeria!
â°: 8:00pm AEST
📺💻📱: @channel7 & @optussport#Matildas#TilitsDonepic.twitter.com/GopFljFyq2
OFFICIAL: TEAM NEWS 🗞ï¸
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 27, 2023
📄Here's 🇳🇬our starting XI vs #Australia in Brisbane #SoarSuperFalcons#FIFAWWC      #AUSNGApic.twitter.com/y5lM0FEuyS
Brisbane Story Bridge putting on a fine show for #FIFAWWCÂ (Watch the whole video for full show)
— Gillian Morgan 👩ðŸ¼â€ðŸ’» (@gilly_morgan) July 27, 2023
Colours for #AUS and #NGA #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023#TilitsDone #AUSNGApic.twitter.com/QCaXSLLqZs
6.30PM: WHAT WOULD A WIN MEAN FOR MATILDAS?
Whether you buy into the “group of death” dubbing or not, there’s no way of denying the Group B nations have one of the most challenging roads through to the World Cup knockout stages.
Despite their valiant defensive work against Australia and Katie McCabe’s Olimpico against Canada yesterday, Ireland’s first World Cup outing won’t go any further than the group stage, with the debutants knocked out after successive losses.
Canada, as the highest ranked nation in the group (No. 9) still faces an uphill battle, despite their 2-1 victory over the Girls in Green.
Les Rouges will be crossing fingers that Niger will give Australia as much strife as they caused the Canadians in their bout tonight.
The draw with Nigeria has Canada on four points. If Nigeria can force the upset and beat the Matildas, both teams will leapfrog Australia to go top of the group.
If Nigeria lose, or draw, they won’t count themselves out just yet – but will need to comfortably beat Ireland and hope Australia can do the same to Canada in the final group matches.
It’s a group that will come down to the final minutes next Monday, but the Matildas will hope to steady themselves with a win and make Canada do all the hard work next week.
Brisbane is alive for the #Matildas tonight #FIFAWWC#AUSvNGApic.twitter.com/Fp0XGCqnwK
— Tracey Holmes (@TraceyLeeHolmes) July 27, 2023
6.18PM: HALFTIME UPDATE
There’s another game going on at the moment between Portugal and Vietnam, which the Portuguese lead 2-0 at halftime.
The interest here is that if Portugal wins, it will put pressure on two sides considered contenders to stay in the tournament.
USA and Netherlands drew earlier today are on four points, with Portgual likely to move to three.
Portugal’s last match is against the USA and if they somehow knocked out the women’s football powerhouse, it would open the tournament right up.
5.52PM: LATE TICKETS RUSH FOR BRIZZY BLOCKBUSTER
If you wanted tickets to tonight’s game but missed out, there’s still hope.
There aee a limited number of Category 3 tickets available for just $20 via the FIFA resale platform.
Now that is value if you’re in Brisbane tonight and chasing a ticket!
#Matildas fans take Caxton Street ahead of #AUSvNGA! 💚💛#FIFAWWC@wwospic.twitter.com/xmRwb02vxG
— Emily Patterson (@emrosepatterson) July 27, 2023
5.40PM: HOW WILL MATILDAS REPLACE FOWLER?
Tilly Werner
The Matildas have the opportunity to secure a round of 16 berth with a win over Nigeria tonight.
Nigeria needs a win to stay in the hunt. And hunt they will.
The top-ranked African nation in the tournament proved their might in their 0-0 opening clash with Canada and will have every intent of taking it up a notch when they meet the Matildas on the pitch in Brisbane.
The Matildas know their backline will have their work cut out in trying to reign in the pace-laden threat of Asisat Oshoala but the real challenge for the Australians this evening is who will play the support role to Caitlin Foord at No.9.
Will Tony Gustavsson opt for experience or explosiveness?
The way I see it we've got two options.
— The Brain Thinker (@eamonnwarner) July 27, 2023
We either let Chidiac cook, or we let EVE microwave three day old pizza.
The people have spoken #AUSvNGA#FIFAWWC
Emily van Egmond shapes as the likely replacement for Mary Fowler, given Tony Gustavsson’s historic preference for choosing the more defensive-minded midfielder, but Alex Chidiac is ready to rip.
Chidiac’s creative distributions, quick feet and bodywork on the ball could play a crucial role in the Matildas’ midfield, helping them to control the tempo of the game and limit Nigeria’s opportunity for counter-attacks.
Van Egmond has played limited football in 2023, with an injury keeping her on San Diego’s bench for most of the NWSL season so far. Chidiac, held the playmaker role for Melbourne Victory and has had plenty of minutes off the bench with Racing Louisville.
Van Egmond is a strong anchor, who can score, but spent much of Katrina Gorry’s maternity leave playing the defensive midfield role and often looks backwards to go forward.
It’s an important mindset to have in the squad, but against Nigeria, the Matildas need goals.
While we know Van Egmond can score them, Chidiac has looked the more likely across the Matildas recent matches.
She’s hungry, she has a point to prove and she’ll give everything if offered the opportunity.
It’s time to let the game changer loose.
5PM: DON’T ABANDON US: MATILDAS’ PLEA AMID WORLD CUP WHISPERS
Robert Craddock
The boss of Australian football has pleaded with governments not to abandon the sport when the cheering stops after a record-breakingWorld Cup.
Australian football is on a high due to the surge of ticket sales at Women’s World Cup which have already exceeded budget, but Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the game was in a fierce battle to keep pace with cashed up global rivals while doing justice to growth at grassroots level in Australia.
“I want the sport to look differently after these games,’’ Johnson told this masthead before Thursday’s sold-out Suncorp Stadium clash against Nigeria.
“We need to use this tournament to drive change in sport. Stadium upgrades, more people playing it. When that happens I will be happy with its legacy. We are going to need more Federal and State support.
“We are not just competing with Manly or the Roosters and Collingwood and Carlton. It’s not just the biggest European and South American nations but the Japanese, the Qataris, the Saudis. They are pumping billions of dollars into football.”
There have been whispers more government is on the way and Johnson is particularly hoping Queensland government will open its coffers.
While there has been more than $357 million spent on the sport’s legacy projects by state and Federal Government the Queensland Government has committed just $13 million.
“There have been big investments from Victoria in the legacy program but we would really like to see Queensland come to the table not for any other reason that Queensland is a major state of ours now,” Johnson said.
“On numbers alone it is now the second biggest state in the country in participation numbers.
We have brought a lot of big content to Brisbane. The Matildas played Canada in Brisbane. Last year we went to Townsville and played New Zealand there with the Matildas.
“We would like to see Queensland come to the table for our legacy funding.
“I would like to see the Australian public stay with the sport and I think they will. I want people to look back at these games like they do at the Sydney Olympics and say I was at Suncorp Stadium when they played Nigeria.
“From the moment we announced host cities we knew the demand for tickets would be very high. We are a week into the tournament and we have already hit 1.5 million ticket sales which is what the tournament KPI was. And that number is only going to grow. Over 1.1 of that number is actually Australian tickets. The pick-up of tickets in this county is phenomenal.’’
3:00PM: AUSTRALIA’S HORROR LUCK MUST END
Australia coach Tony Gustavsson insisted it was simply bad luck that two players were concussed in separate “high-intensity” training incidents on the eve of their Women’s World Cup clash with Nigeria, and praised his team for how they responded.
The Matildas were already without the injured Sam Kerr for the match in Brisbane on Thursday and now fellow forward Mary Fowler – who replaced the Chelsea star in their opening game – is also unavailable.
With Kyah Simon still recovering from a knee injury sustained in October, Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord is their only recognised striker.
Along with Fowler, defender Aivi Luik, who was a substitute in their 1-0 win against Ireland last week, also suffered a head knock in training and has been ruled out.
“It was a completely normal training, two days out you always have high-intensity,” said Gustavsson, who refused to say how the incidents unfolded.
“Everything was good, we were just unlucky unfortunately, two head knocks. We didn’t do anything different than normal.
“The players kept going … they are on a mission, and just focused on what they can control so credit to them in yesterday’s training on how they responded to it.”
Gustavsson had no update on Kerr’s calf injury, saying only that she would be reassessed after the Nigeria game.
“We want to wait until the last minute to see where’s she’s at in terms of availability,” he added, referring to their final Group B match, against Canada on July 31 in Melbourne.
His options against Nigeria appear to now be starting Foord upfront with Emily van Egmond or Tameka Yallop, who both usually play in midfield.
Australia have three points and victory would ensure they progress to the last 16 from Group B. Nigeria and Canada have one point each, with Ireland yet to get off the mark.
2.00PM: NIGERIA STILL FEAR AUSTRALIAN ‘WEAPONS’
Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum warned a depleted Australia still have plenty of “weapons” and it would not change how they approached the game or give them an advantage.
“I don’t think it really changes our tactics and what we are trying to do. They obviously still have a lot of weapons that can hurt you,” said the American.
“We know the strength of their team, I know a lot of their players well from when I was coaching in the (American) NWSL, I know their quality.
“So we cannot go into the match thinking we are at some advantage for that reason. We have to stick to the game plan and how we have been preparing for them since after the Canada match.” Nigeria opened their campaign by earning a valuable point in a battling 0-0 draw against Olympic champions Canada, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie the African side’s hero after saving a penalty.
The Nigerian defence was solid and gave little away against a team ranked seventh in the world.
Waldrum said his side had taken note of how the Irish got players behind the ball to frustrate the co-hosts, but stressed they must also put away any chances that come their way.
“We have quality in the team, players that can score goals. We just have to make sure that when those opportunities come that we’re clinical with them,” he said.
They head into the match without midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who picked up a red card against Canada, but are otherwise at full strength.
More Coverage
Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup: Matildas disaster as they lose 3-2 to Nigeria in Brisbane
Splashdown! Day of disaster for Aussies in women’s America’s Cup
The women’s America’s Cup dream of an Australian crew is over after just two days of racing, a disastrous touchdown, a broken start penalty and erratic conditions. How it played out.
Just outstanding! The young guns on fire in Waratahs v Reds U15 battle
It’s a taste of things to come, a critical showcase for rising stars of rugby and the annual battle between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds under 15s did not disappoint. Stars, photos