Australia wants to make back-to-back wins at the 2023 Women’s World Cup as they take on Nigeria on Thursday.
AUS-W vs NIG-W Match Details
Date: Thursday, 27 July 2023
Time: 15:30 (IST) / 20:00 (ACT)
Venue: Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
AUS-W vs NIG-W Match Preview
Despite being without their star striker Sam Kerr due to a calf injury, the co-hosts secured victory in the opening game of the tournament. Steph Catley's penalty conversion in the second half secured three points for their team against a resilient Ireland squad, with the game played in front of record-breaking attendance. Although the debutants caused some moments of concern, the Matildas remained strong and overcame those challenges. They now find themselves on the brink of qualification to the last 16 now with another victory and hope other results go their way. The team has qualified for the knockouts in each of their last four Women's World Cup appearances. The game against Nigeria will be the first big test in the group which Australia want to pass with flying colors. After all, they have won their 10 of the last 11 games. However, Mary Fowler's absence along with Kerr in attack will force manager Tony Gustavsson to rethink the frontline again. The Matildas hope to continue their streak of scoring in all but one game for the past year.
Meanwhile, Nigeria will be aiming for their first win in the tournament after drawing goalless against Canada in their opener. The Super Falcons have now avoided defeat against the Olympic Gold medalists in the last three meetings in the finals. They had their goalkeeper Chiamake Nnadozie to thank for the point for her expert save of Christine Sinclair’s penalty. Nigeria did create some chances in a cagey affair with Asisat Oshoala denied on the line by Vanessa Gilles. There were decent counter-attacks initiated by the team but nothing resulted out of those. Nigeria knows victory in the next match will close them to a last-16 berth. Knowing they are going to face a team who have won their last three Women’s World Cup games against African nations including beating them 2-0 in 2015. The Super Falcons have made it beyond the group stages only twice despite participating in all nine editions of the finals.
Recent Form (All Comp)
AUS-W: WWWLW
NIG-W: DWWWL
Recent Form (World Cup)
AUS-W: W
NIG-W: D
AUS-W vs NIG-W Predicted Lineups
AUS-W: Mackenzie Arnold; Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley; Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Cortnee Vine; Catlin Foord, Kyah Simon
NIG-W: Chiamake Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Ashleigh Plumptre; Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe; Uchenna Kanu, Toni Payne, Ifeoma Onumonu; Asisat Oshoala
Check here Australia Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Nigeria Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
AUS-W vs NIG-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Nnadozie (7)
DEF: Carpenter (7.5), Kennedy (8), Catley (8.5), Plumptre (8.5)
MID: Raso (7.5), Kanu (9), Gorry (8), Payne (8.5)
FW: Oshoala (9), Foord (8.5)
Vice-captain: Katrina Gorry
Captain: Catlin Foord
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