Australia’s World Cup marketing campaign is abruptly on the ropes after an hour of distress of their Group B blockbuster in opposition to Nigeria.
A devastating 3-2 defeat re-writes the Matildas’ story and leaves the co-host nation needing to defeat Canada of their ultimate pool stage match to progress by means of to the knockout levels.
It appeared Australia already had one foot within the spherical of 16 when Emily van Egmond put Australia up within the forty sixth minute.
In entrance of 49,156 followers at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, the fairytale rapidly turned a nightmare.
Nigeria took management of the sport within the second half and deserved the 2 objectives they scored after half time.
Both objectives got here off the again of disastrous blunders by the Aussie defence.
Coach Tony Gustavsson has already advised his gamers to neglect the consequence and shift their psychological power in the direction of the Canada conflict on Monday in Melbourne.
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The knockout stage has arrived early for the Matildas.
Nigeria now sits on prime of Group B on 4 factors and end the group stage in opposition to winless Ireland. Only a win will likely be sufficient for the Matildas to progress — however it’s removed from doom and gloom.
Aussie Captain Steph Catley mentioned she felt her workforce did sufficient to win the sport, but additionally conceded: “They were great on the counter and they finished their chances. We’ve just got think to Canada now.
“A lot of things (went wrong). We weren’t patient enough at times and we weren’t clinical enough,” she advised Optus Sport.
“We had a lot of set-pieces tonight that usually maybe one or two go in.
“We’ve just got to move on as quick as possible because this is what World Cups are about.
“Our backs are up against the wall now, and it’s not how we would have liked it, but nothing good comes easy.”
Incredibly, Australia very practically pinched a attract some late drama with a purpose within the one hundred and tenth minute. The Matildas additionally had a ultimate shot within the 111th minute that was properly saved by the Nigerian shot-stopper.
The most painful second got here earlier within the match when Alanna Kennedy had a second she’s going to battle to neglect with one of many largest blunders of her profession.
Racing again with the flight of the ball, Kennedy tried to go the ball to keeper Mackenzie Arnold however her cross was properly vast of the mark and it allowed Asisat Oshoala to faucet into the open internet within the 72nd minute.
“Australia completely switched off in defence. Oshoala has scored her eighth international goal for the Super Falcons,” Channel 7’s David Basheer mentioned.
Football commentators have torched Kennedy for the pricey mistake.
Former England defender Gilly Flaherty mentioned on the BBC: “Kennedy needs to do better, she needs to make the decision to either head it or put her foot through it, but she does neither”.
Sky Sports commentator Laura Hunter mentioned: “This was not in the script. What a dreadful result this is for the tournament co-hosts. They haven’t been at all convincing in these opening two games and now face an uphill battle to qualify from Group B.”
Oshoala, a five-time African participant of the 12 months, terrorised the Aussie defence after approaching within the sixty fourth minute, having a hand in each of her workforce’s second half objectives.
It was Kennedy who gave Australia a pulse once more along with her one hundred and tenth minute header, however the injury had been finished.
Van Egmond’s purpose noticed her turn out to be the eighth Matilda to attain a purpose on the World Cup, however there will likely be no celebrations within the Matildas’ lodge tonight.
Originally revealed as Matildas vs Nigeria dwell updates: Australia rocked in World Cup catastrophe
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
