Live Commentary: Australia 2-3 Nigeria
Australia will have to walk a tight rope when they take on Canada in their final group game while a point vs Ireland will see Nigeria through after a 1-3 win in Brisbane.
See Live text commentary of the key moments in the group B clash here.
IT ENDS 2-3 IN FAVOUR OF NIGERIA: The Super Falcons go top of group B with the win.
90+9 mins: Kennedy jumps to head home for 2-3. A frantic closing minutes to follow.
71 mins GOAAAAALLLLL!!!!!!! A defensive mix-up gifts Nigeria superstar opportunity to score and extend Nigeria’s lead.
Australia 1-3 Nigeria. WHAT A GAME.
63 mins: Goooaaall- Nigeria lead. Ohale heads across the line to put the falcons ahead. Substitute Oshoala with the assist.
Nigeria corner kick is whipped into the box where Emily van Egmond gets on the end of it. She can’t completely clear her lines and Nigeria nod the second ball over to Rasheedat Ajibade.
She squares the ball into the six yard box and lifts it over the goalkeeper’s left arm. Osinachi Ohale arrives at the back post and heads the ball into the back of the net just as she’s taken out by Alanna Kennedy’s attempt to clear the danger.
Australia 1-2 Nigeria
NIGERIA CHANGES : Oshoala comes on
56 mins: Toni Payne is down and needs medical attention, Nigeria will pray she gets well to continue as she has been one the best Falcons in this game.
She hops out!!!! Decision time for Randy Waldrum.
53 mins: Ajibade tries a long range shot but its not close.
51 mins: Australia pressing, Nigeria defending. 1-1
47 mins: Alozie tries an audacious attempt from 30-yards out. It flies over the bar.
46 mins: CLOSE!!!! Gorry fires a powerful shot that flies inches over the crossbar. Australia pressing early in the second half.
BACK FOR THE SECOND HALF: It is Australia with the kick-off – Second half underway.
HALF-TIME STATS
Australia enjoyed 60% of possession in the first half.
They also had three shots on goal compared to Nigeria’s one attempt which produced their goal.
Australia looked the better team for most of the half, but the Super Falcons have grown into the contest and looked dangerous every time they broke and clearly have quality in their team.
The Matilda’s were slick in their attacking build-up, but they lacked a clear finisher, with the likes of Kerr missing.
WHAT AN INTERESTING HALF IN BRISBANE: Nigeria have grown into the game, enough to challenge Australia for possession and score.
Kudos to Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu for the play to get Nigeria level after Emily Van Egmond put Australia ahead minutes earlier. More of the same expected in the second half.
AUSTRALIA 1-1 NIGERIA – HALF-TIME SCORE
Goooooooaaaaal for Nigeria: Two goals in stoppage time of the first half
Kanu equalizes with a fine finish from inside the box. Australia 1-1 Nigeria
HEARTBREAK FOR NIGERIA: Van Egmond connects a low cross from the left to put Australia ahead on the stroke of halftime.
44 mins: Nigeria is seeing more of the ball. A balanced game this has become.
41 mins: Sustained pressure from the Falcons with the dangerous Rasheedat Ajibade involved but the deliveries in the final third let them down. Still 0-0.
40 mins: Nigeria get bodies in the box to block multiple attempts by the Matildas. It stays level 0-0.
Ajibade threatens a run down the flank for Nigeria. A free-kick to the Falcons taken by Payne. A deflection off Plumptre misses the target by few inches. Nigeria chance gone!!!!!
38 mins: Gorry trips Ajibade. That should be Yellow but the Referee ignores the protests by the Falcons.
35 mins: Australia 0-0 Nigeria
27mins: Carpenter sends takes a long-range shot that sails over the bar. Still 0-0
22mins: YELLOW CARD FOR NIGERIA!!!! The referee dishes out a yellow to Alozie. There are no complaints from either side – clear foul and seserving of a caution.
19mins: Toni Payne is fuming at Uchenna Kanu.
Payne wins the ball and drives through the middle of the pitch. She skips around two Australian midfielders before looking to offload the ball out wide.
Kanu is rooted to the spot and not offering a pass for Payne who yells at her to come closer. When Kanu receives it she tries to send Ifeoma Onumonu in behind but overhits her pass and knocks the ball out of play.
17mins: Foord cuts in from the left, corrects her body, and attempts a shot across the goal. She could not get enough curl on it, and it sails past the far post.
17 mins: Australia 0-0 Nigeria
8mins: The Super Falcons are starting to find their feet.
Nigeria’s Kanu makes a clever run along the left wing, cutting inside and playing a pass across the goal, but her final touch lacked quality and the ball rolls out of danger.
5mins: Australia get a dangerous cross In from a corner, but Nigeria clear the danger. A break from Nigeria is cut short by a tackle from Kennedy. Cooney-Cross is then forced to make another strong tackle a minute later
1min: A shaky start from the Super Falcons of Nigeria
AHEAD OF KICK: Both teams will play with a 4-1-2-3.
