Australia has been rocked of their Group B blockbuster towards Nigeria with the African aspect getting back from a objective down to guide 3-1 late within the second half.
Nigeria took management of the sport within the second half and received the objective their dominance deserved with the Aussie defence failing to clear a messy nook within the sixty fifth minute.
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The catastrophe grew to become a nightmare a couple of minutes later Nigeria prolonged their lead when Alanna Kennedy had a second she’s going to battle to overlook with one of many largest blunders of her profession.
Racing again with the flight of the ball, Kennedy tried to move the ball to keeper Mackenzie Arnolm however her move was effectively broad of the mark and it allowed Asisat Oshoala to faucet into the open web.
It got here after three minutes of insanity to finish the primary half with Emily van Egmond’s opening objective cancelled out with the ultimate kick of the half.
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9.45pm – Australia falling aside
Nigeria has shell shocked Australia to take a 3-1 lead.
The third objective of the match got here after a cataclysmic mistake by Alanna Kennedy along with her header gifting Asisat Ohala an opportunity to faucet in a objective after getting behind keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
“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 expensive mistake.
Former England defender Gilly Flaherty mentioned on thr BBC: Kennedy must do higher, she must make the choice to both head it or put her foot by way of it, however 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.”
9.30pm – Australia trails 2-1
Nigeria has silenced Suncorp Stadium with a go-ahead objective within the sixty fifth minute.
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was solely in a position to deflect a powerless shot that got here in from broad of the field, and her parry bobbled throughout the objective to the far aspect of the web.
Aussie Alanna Kennedy tried to clear the ball with a excessive leg kick, nevertheless it was pressured by way of by Osinachi Ohale.
Ohale seemed to be kicked as she pushed the ball and was not in a position to instantly get again to her toes.
9pm – Devastating late objective turns match on its head
The Matildas have been rocked by a objective to Uchenna Kanu with the ultimate kick of the primary half.
Celebrations turned to devastation after Emily van Egmond had simply two minutes earlier damaged the impasse to provide Australia a 1-0 lead.
However, that each one modified when a deflected ball landed at Kanu’s toes and the Nigerian star was in a position to faucet the ball previous Aussie keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The Nigerians have been in a position to launch their last assault of the half after Katrina Gorry gave the ball away recklessly additional up the sphere.
There have been extra sloppy efforts from the Matildas because the play unfolded with defender Ellie Carpenter showing to be caught out of place.
“It was just a little bit sloppy from Ellie Carpenter,” Channel 7 commentator and former England participant Izzy Christiansen mentioned.
“You can see here she gets taken on the inside and she does her best to stop the crosses. Fortuitous from Nigeria’s perspective, but it’s a good little finish in the end. The timing of it couldn’t have really have been worse for The Matildas.”
Sky Sports presenter Laura Hunter mentioned: “Well, well. We weren’t expecting that. Two stoppage time goals and we’re locked at 1-1”.
It was a merciless finish to the primary half after Australia dominated the play and produced 12 photographs on objective to a few.
It seemed like Australia had the lead the group deserved when van Egmond discovered house after a pleasant move into the highest of the penalty space. Her operating shot gave the Nigerian keeper no likelihood.
The objective noticed van Egmond grow to be the eighth Matilda to attain a objective on the World Cup.
8.30pm – Cortnee Vine taken out in ugly deal with
Matildas ahead Cortnee Vine was pressured off the sphere for a head damage evaluation after heavy contact within the twenty second minute.
The Aussie was left mendacity on the sphere for a number of minutes whereas medical workers assessed her. However, she was then pressured to go away the sphere to undergo customary head contact protocols.
Michelle Alozie was given a yellow card for the collision.
Australia had dominated the opening exchanges and went near a break by way of objective after 10 minutes when Steph Catley discovered house to shoot from a good angle after a darting run from broad of the field.
Her left foot stab was blocked by Nigerian keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on the close to put up.
7pm – Matildas make one choice change
The Matildas have confirmed there was only one change to the aspect that defeated Ireland final week.
Mary Fowler has ben changed by Emily van Egmond, who will play up high alongside Caitlin Foord.
The huge shock got here from the Nigerian group announcement with Asisat Oshoala sensationally lacking from the beginning group.
The star striker, who performs for Barcelona, is extensively recognised as probably the most harmful gamers on the planet.
Oshoala suffered a knock in her group’s opening recreation towards Canada, however the group didn’t verify her health till 90 minutes earlier than kick-off when the group sheets have been submitted.
6.15 pm – NSW Premier slammed for tweet
Chris Minns has left followers chortling after a tweet in regards to the Matildas that doesn’t seem to have hit the mark.
The Labor Premier took a surprisingly salty swipe at his northern neighbours when saying NSW followers will cheer the Matildas on — regardless of the sport being in Queensland.
“Tonight’s Matildas game might be in Queensland but that won’t stop all of New South Wales cheering them on to victory,” he posted.
Fans have been making jokes about why the inter-state rivalry has no relevancy to the Australian nationwide group.
The put up now has 200,000 views.
It comes after Minns’ State of Origin tweet in May the place he re-created the notorious pose made by former NSW chief Gladys Berejiklian.
Minns adopted on from his two Liberal predecessors with a cheeky dig on the now time honoured custom of the meme-worthy photograph former premier Gladys Berejiklian created in 2021, when suggesting she was going to look at the match on a micro tv display.
5pm – Socceroos nice Robbie Slater’s huge Sam Kerr declare
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has slammed the Matildas teaching workers and their dealing with of gamers on the Women’s World Cup, calling for them to “come clean” over Sam Kerr’s damage standing.
Kerr rocked Matildas followers when it was introduced an hour earlier than kick-off of Australia’s opening match towards Ireland the famous person was a late scratching with a calf damage.
It was said she would miss the opening two matches, however Slater says many in soccer circles consider she could miss your entire match, which might be a devastating blow.
“I think it’s time they came clean about Kerr’s injury,” Slater wrote in a column for Code Sports.
“Why can’t we get exact news and a real update on the severity of her injury?
“She is the face of the World Cup. I don’t think you need to play mind games with the possibility of (a) round of 16 return or later, just come out and say it.
“The whisper is she won’t play at all. A calf tear is typically a four week injury.
“You talk to any young fans and all they want to know is “how bad is Sam’s injury and when is she going to play?”
“They have a right to know how bad it is and if she is not going to play at all.”
12pm — Group B is Matildas for the taking
Captain Katie McCabe mentioned she was “heartbroken” after Ireland’s World Cup desires led to tears with a 2-1 defeat to Canada on Wednesday evening.
After dropping 1-0 to Australia of their match debut, Ireland wanted to keep away from defeat in Perth to maintain alive their hopes of progressing from Group B.
McCabe gave them the proper begin within the fourth minute when she scored direct from a nook, a lot to the delight of the 17,065 followers – most of whom have been loudly cheering for Ireland.
But Olympic champions Canada clawed again by way of an personal objective from Megan Connolly simply earlier than half-time earlier than Manchester United ahead Adriana Leon supplied the winner within the 53rd minute.
Ireland gamers have been emotional after the whistle, lots of whom have been in tears as they paid tribute to their appreciative followers.
The outcome means Australia will probably be in high of Group B with a win over Nigeria — and can solely have to attract towards Canada within the last pool stage match to retain high spot.
Source: www.news.com.au
