Falcons Have Their Knockout Fate in Their Hands Against Ireland

Femi Solaja

Super Falcons have their fates in their hands to decide wether they want to match Nigeria’s best ever outing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup  as they face Republic of Ireland at 11.00am this morning.

The Irish ladies have nothing to play for beyond pride. They are already eliminated from progressing to the knockout phase losing to both co-host country Australia and Canada with no point in the standing.

But they can still play the spoiler role if Nigeria’s Super Falcons take them for granted and concede defeat in their last Group B match.

Wether that will be possible for the Nigerian lads who were not on reckoning but are today on the brink of history in Brisbane, remains to be seen after 90 minutes. Only a draw will see Falcons progressing. But they can do better getting a draw to avoid a possible Last 16 fixture against England.

Nigeria stunned Australia with a 3-2 victory in their last game and sit top of the pool with four points. 

Team’s American handler, Randy Waldrum is buoyed by the simple reason that he will have in his CV leading a team to the knockout phase of the World Cup. This perhaps may be his persona ambition to ensure Falcons put forward their best against Ireland this morning.

“We have shown we are a better team than number 40 in the world,” Waldrum told reporters in Brisbane yesterday.

Having said that, Waldrum knows they have a battle ahead against an Ireland side that narrowly lost their first two games to Australia and Canada and were unfortunate not to get more from those contests. 

“It is going to be a very difficult game. People may think I am crazy for saying this, but I think it could be our hardest match. Ireland have been a bit unlucky in the first two matches and could have got a result,” he said. 

“We are not expecting them to lay down because they are going home already, I am expecting to get the best from them and have been very impressed with their team and their organisation.” 

One of the stars of the tournament for the Super Falcons has been goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays for Paris FC and made crucial saves in their first two games, including a penalty in the 0-0 draw with Canada. 

PERMUTATIONS 

Nigeria and Canada will both qualify for the round of 16 if they avoid defeats. The Nigerians currently top the group on goals scored, which could prove the deciding factor if both them and the Canadians win their final group games.

Australia either must beat Canada, or draw and hope Nigeria suffer a two-goal defeat to Republic of Ireland, in order to avoid an ignominious first-round exit on home soil. The Matildas have not gone out in the group stage since 2003.

Republic of Ireland are already eliminated, but will seek a first Women’s World Cup win against Nigeria.

GROUP B 

                    P.   W.   D.   L. GF. GA. GD. Pts

Nigeria        2    1     1     0    3    2     1     4

Canada      2    1      1     0    2     1     1     4

Australia    2    1      0      1     3    3     0   3

Ireland.        2    0     0      2    1     3     -2    0