WWC: Super Falcons Beat Australia 3-2 At Suncorp Stadium

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The Matildas’ World Cup hopes are in tatters after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Nigeria in front of over 48,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Australia scored first through Emily van Egmond in a first half that saw 12 attempts on goal, but conceded just five minutes later thanks to a bad bounce before copping another two poor goals in the space of seven second-half minutes.

Failure to deal with a regulation corner and a terrible mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold sunk Tony Gustavsson’s side in a horror second-half showing.

A horror second-half showing, Kennedy got one back deep into injury time but it was mere consolation for the Matildas.

Australia will likely need to win against Canada – almost certainly without Sam Kerr – on Monday to qualify for the knockout rounds as they drop down to third place in Group B after tonight’s loss.

Already without Kerr, Gustavsson also lost attacker Mary Fowler to a concussion in training on Wednesday, allowing veteran Van Egmond to come into the starting 11. Gustavsson’s starting side from the triumph over Ireland was otherwise unchanged.

Steph Catley was left in plenty of space in the penalty area after a corner but couldn’t get enough on her strike in Australia’s best opportunity of the opening stages.

The plucky Nigerian side found it difficult to play through thanks to the Matildas’ coordinated press, with passing moves often breaking down in the middle third for the Super Falcons.