Australia vs Nigeria: Detailed Preview and Analysis
In what is said to be the group of death, Australia will face Nigeria in the second round of group matches in Group D. Australia are coming on the back of a defeat to the USA. Nigeria on the other hand secured a point from a three all draw against Sweden. It is all set now for Australia and Nigeria to face each other and with both teams seeking their first win it promises to be a terrific contest. LWOS analysts Alex Barilaro and Atsrim Sitso Philip will present their expert opinions on the game. Barilaro looks at the game from the Australian perspective while Atsrim does so from the African persepective.
1. What are your accessions of the Australian/Nigeria team based on their first game?
Barilaro: In a word; tenacity. The Matildas went at the USA like a bunch of rabid wolverines going after the slim pickings of the day, they just didn’t give in. Whatever loose balls were there in the first half were snapped up by an Aussie and the USA were heavily on the back foot in the first half. In the same way, Nigeria had to come back from a huge deficit against an exceptionally talented Sweden outfit and showed the grit and determination that gets you places in these kinds of tournaments. Not only will the tie be a clash of the underdogs of the group, but it may come down to which outfit wants it more. The ability of Australia to come out and surprise everybody; including their own set of fans, with blistering displays and spirited efforts was immediately gratifying to everyone involved with the Matildas, and will want to push on and claim that all important first win that could see them surprise one of the two bigger outfits in the group. Ranked 10th in the world; it should be easier for the Matildas to control and dominate the game against their minnow opponents.
Atsrim: Nigeria have a strong character, mentality and strong will to play. Going down by two goals, the expectations were that their heads would drop and they would have just defended to avoid a heavy defeat. In the second half of the game against Sweden something about their style and purpose changed and that was the key. Ayinde and Nwabuoku took control of the midfield and dictated and controlled the game nicely. Naturally they are very strong and fast and that is their advantage. The Australians on the other hand would be disappointed they could not get anything in that game against the USA, having dominated the game in the first half. The problem clearly was taking their chances; the Australians missed couple of chances in the first half of the game. It looks like Nigeria thrive as the underdogs in games and might be out to cause an upset yet again.
- What positives and negatives have been picked so far and going forward what should change?
Barilaro: Positives for the Matildas have been the aforementioned defiance and tenacity with which they attack the ball, as well as the movement further up the pitch. Where Sweden and the USA showed the resoluteness and professionalism many have come to expect by holding out the two lesser ranked sides (Australia is 10th in the World, Nigeria a much lower 33rd), much of the reason for their resoluteness came from the lack of awareness of just how bad these two sides wanted to put that ball in the back of the net. Both sides used the flanks to exceptional effect in their respective halves of dominance (first half for Australia, in which they nearly had the US three goals down and the second half for Nigeria, in which the comeback was cemented). If they can maintain their attacking verve and fitness for a whole game, Australia look like a real threat. With Lisa de Vanna and Emily van Egmond in tremendous form; Australia can be confident of dominating the Nigerian midfield; given that they dominated the USA’s midfield and controlled the game in the first half. Negatively, as was circumvented in the last point; the defence isn’t quite up to scratch. It’s like having a Ferrari engine with a beaten down body of a Volkswagen Beetle: plenty of firepower, but not much in the way of protection; albeit down to injuries. Nigeria’s potent attack could be something to surprise the Matildas, but the Matildas have enough firepower in their own arsenal to keep the Nigerians at bay.
Atsrim: Nigeria can pick lots of positives from their game against Sweden and on the other hand lots of negatives can be spotted. The African side have a host of talent in their side who feel responsible for the team. The fact that Nigeria can convert chances when they have them will be key to their quest of making it out of the group. With the likes of Ordega, Oshoala and Oparanozie in the side Nigeria can be sure of creating chances and hopefully finding the back of the net. Again they are tactically disciplined, how many times have we not seen teams go down to two goals and lose their shape? The African side kept to their game plan, did not panic after conceding two first half goals against Sweden and that was crucial. Even though they are good going forward, it is in defence that they make mistakes, especially from set pieces: A situation the coach must sort out before his side come up against Australia. The Matildas of Australia’s only problem however will be taking their chances when they have them. At the back they will have to watch out for the Nigerian front three as all of three possess great pace and the ability to take on players.
3.What psychological effect is the last game going to have on the team in this second fixture?
Barilaro: A good one, most certainly. The USA game showed Australia what the Matildas are capable of; even if they were eventually outclassed by one of the best teams in the world. Psychologically; the crux is going to be maintaining that pressure even when the tag of “underdogs” is removed from the game. If they can keep up the intensity in their psychological mindset of “we can beat anyone” then they’ll be set up wonderfully.
Atsrim: Psychologically Nigeria will be up and ahead of Australia coming into this game. Coach Okon and his ladies are coming into this game from a strong performance that earned a point in the game against Sweden. The team will feel all that is needed to create the opportunity for the three points will be to make sure they are defending well and, when the chances present themselves, converting them. If only the Super Falcons do not feel inferior to their opponents and show them too much respect then three points is all there for the taking.
- What do you make of the Nigerian/Australian team.
Barilaro: For a team ranked 33rd in the World, they are unconventional in the way they attack. They have BBC’s Women’s Football Player of the year in 20 year-old Asisat Oshoala, and held Sweden to just 7 shots (Nigeria had 14) whilst they dominated possession. For a team ranked so low to be so focused on attacking is a sight to behold; and they reaped just desserts with their comeback against Sweden. Seeing how ecstatic the bench was after Ordega latched in the equaliser was enough to put a smile on anybody’s face; except perhaps for Sweden fans, and goes to show the passion with which this team treats scoring goals. They are unconventional in the way they don’t stick to simple counter-attacking play like most underdogs. They will go on the offensive and try to outscore you; fully aware that their defence is lacking and their reputation isn’t one that mirrors the top dogs in the group. They really could become something special in this tournament, providing they get their first win against the Matildas in the upcoming fixture.
Atsrim: A team ranked in the 10th position in the FIFA rankings needs no telling. I have great respect for the Australian side and their style play. Expansive soccer with pace, skill and power in most departments of the game. The defeat to the USA was not a true reflection of the game as the scoreline might have read. It probably was one of those days in the game where nothing seems to be going your way, that is not to undermine the class of the Americans. Australia have a strong midfield that dominates opponents, making it difficult for their opponents to play their game through the middle. There seems to be lots of movement upfront for the Aussies and that can easily undo the defence of Nigeria who have not been convincing yet. Having said that the Nigerian defence have not been up to it yet, that department seems to be where Australia also do struggle. With what the Matildas have showed, if they can get their defence sorted out and take their chances they will be a force to be reckoned with in the tournament. I wish them luck.
- Your predictions:
Barilaro: A high-scoring affair; though the Matildas defence is much better structured than Nigeria’s. If the Matildas come out with the same tenacity I think they’ll be able to hold off the attacking verve of Nigeria; so it’s a 3-1 victory to the Matildas for me.
Atsrim: It going to be an open game and with both sides attacking prospects we can expect goals, Australia have not been clinical for me but Nigeria have. Nigeria will concede because of their defence but upfront they will score goals. It is going to be 3-2 for Nigeria, the African champions for me.
That is it from our expect analyst on the game between Australia and Nigeria. After 90 minutes we shall see which team comes out on top and maybe record their first win of the tournament.
