Final thoughts
Flying elbows aside, it couldn’t have gone any better for Australia. Two goals to returning hero Kyah Simon and a superb defensive performance against a very powerful attack. Tactically, too, Alen Stajcic totally outmaneuvred his opposite number - and the frustration of the Nigerians was all too clear to see. The less said about that the better.
So the Matildas go waltzing on for a showdown with Sweden, while the Nigerians need to pull off something special against the Americans in their final game (and hope results go their way). I can’t see it happening.
All eyes on the Swedes and the Americans now. If you want an in-depth preview of what should be one of the game’s of the tournament so far, then check out this piece.
Thanks for joining me, and I’ll catch you next time.
Full time: Australia 2-0 Nigeria
90+1mins: And that’s it... bizarrely. The board said four minutes of added time but we only get one before the referee blows the final whistle to everyone’s bemusement. Not that the Matildas are complaining. Great result for them, but marred slightly by that ugly off-the-ball elbow.
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90 mins: More pressure from Nigeria but the Matildas’ defending has been rock solid against a very good attack. They’ll be as pleased with the clean sheet as much as the two goals.
89 mins: Free-kick to Nigeria in the dying minutes. A consolation effort maybe? They’ve not tested Lyds all day so it’d be a surprise. Sure enough, it comes to nothing.
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87 mins: You can see the frustration in the Nigerians, and they’re not dealing with it well. A few too many niggly challenges. The referee could have snuffed it out with a few choice words.
86 mins: Heyman comes on for two-goal hero Kyah Simon. Great way to come back into the starting line-up.
83 mins: Oooo! Ashoala with a good effort from distance that sails just over the bar. It’s her last act of the game. She’s replaced by No.10 Dike. It’s the last roll of the dice from the Africans.
81 mins: Another ugly tackle from Nigeria and Australia have a free-kick. It’s whipped in and Alleway smashes one against the underside of the bar. Great effort under pressure.
80 mins: Kerr back on the pitch. De Vanna having a pop at the referee, justifiably after the elbow incident. One of the officials should have picked it up.
79 mins: Oooo! De Vanna has a chance to wrap it up, but her powerful strike is too close to the keeper who does well to palm it away. She was clean through. Gaps opening up in Nigeria’s defence as they push forward.
77 mins: Kerr in tears on the touchline. Nigeria still looking for something though. Deep free-kick into the box but more good defending from the Matildas.
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75 mins: Kerr writhing around on the floor in agony but the game goes on for a fair while before the Aussies finally find touch. Looked like an ugly elbow to the face from Njoku. Off the ball too. Shocking.
74 mins: Well Nigeria have had plenty of possession, and they’ve looked dangerous... but Lydia Williams has had very little to do, while the Matildas have been ruthless up front. Can’t see a comeback from here. Australia have defended very well, tiredness might be the only issue in the heat.
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70 mins: Nigeria with a free-kick into the box, Oshoala gets a flick but it’s not enough to get it on target and the ball flies through a crowd of players in the six-yard box. Australia need to keep it calm for the next few minutes.
Goal! Australia 2-0 Nigeria
68 mins: Simon again! Kerr with a dink back into the box after a clearance and Simon is there to fire home. Awful defending for the Nigerians, with some defenders hanging back and others pushing out. Butt and Simon were both totally clear six yards out.
67 mins: Oooo. No sooner have I said that than Van Egmond whips a free-kick into the box and Kerr flies into connect, but can’t get her leg around it. Goal kick.
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66 mins: This is crying out for a counter-attack from Australia. Nigeria have been probing away without success so far. Australia need to give them something to worry about.
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64 mins: Nigeria still with the momentum. Another dangerous cross into the box is just about dealt with by the Matildas but they’ve had to ride their luck a little so far this half.
62 mins: Ayinge rolling around on the floor and eventually hobbles off. Nigeria have already used up two subs so they’ll be keen to get her on the pitch again if they can.
61 mins: Butt comes on for Gorry, who’s done pretty well. Sensible tactical switch.
60 mins: Booking for Chukwunonye for not retreating fast enough from a free-kick. Silly stuff. Australia with a set-piece in a decent position. Alleway hits it hard enough but it was always going wide.
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57 mins: Bit better from the Matildas, some nice footwork from De Vanna on the left but Nigeria snuff out the danger. The African side still asking all the questions though. Oshoala with a shot that has Australian hearts in mouths for a second.
55 mins: Another short corner from Nigeria goes awry. Not quite sure what they’re trying to achieve. Not that the Matildas are complaining.
53 mins: Nigeria have started this half on the front foot. Australia happy to hit on the counter-attack. Nigeria make another substitution - Oparanozie off for Nkwocha.
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51 mins: Oooo! Free-kick to Nigeria and Williams scrambles to make sure it’s safe. Good effort from Oparanozie. Njoku comes on for Ohale for Nigeria.
49 mins: Oooo! Gorry with the header from Kerr’s cross but it’s straight at the keeper. Good chance.
48 mins: Nigeria have come out with intent, as you’d expect following their Swedish comeback. The Matildas have done very well at the back so far, with Williams barely being troubled.
Second half: Australia 1-0 Nigeria
46 mins: Peeeep! Game on. There’s a bit more shade on the pitch now which I’m sure both sides will be happy with. How are Nigeria going to get back into this game?
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For any Matildas fans in the stands, can you keep an eye out for a Nigerian prince who offered me $2million via email? I wouldn’t usually be so desperate but it’s the only chance I’ve got of buying property in Sydney.
On a completely unrelated note, here’s a montage of Joe Hockey quotes set to a steady reggae beat. It might while away a few minutes while we wait for the second half. Take it away Joe …
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Half-time
45+1 mins: A late corner from Nigeria, but they take it short and the referee blows for half-time straight away. Matildas on top. See you in 15.
44 mins: The Matildas have taken their foot off the pedal in the last five minutes, inviting Nigeria forward. Signs of tiredness perhaps, or a deliberate move to defend what they’ve got so close to half-time?
42 mins: Nwabuoko booked for a high kick that caught Kerr in the face. Looked painful but the Aussie shrugs it off quickly enough. She’ll be right.
41 mins: Another shot from Nigeria at the edge of the box but it’s dealt with easily by Williams. Nigeria aren’t giving up but the Matildas keeper hasn’t really been tested so far.
38 mins: Close to half-time and Australia will be keen to hold onto this lead heading into the break. The Matildas enjoying a lot of possession at the minute.
35 mins: How have the Nigerians responded? Well their heads haven’t dropped but more importantly the goal seems to have given Australia a confidence boost. A couple of quick chances and Nigeria hold on. Then Williams makes a diving save at the feet of Ordega. Excellent stuff.
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33 mins: De Vanna! Ooooo, so close. I must have put a jinx on her. Simon’s shot hits a defender and falls to De Vanna, but her volley is just off target. She should have done better.
31 mins: Well that should steady the nerves for Australia. Remember the Nigerians were 2-0 down against Sweden though. Still a lot of hard work ahead but it’s first blood for the Matildas. On a side note, De Vanna has been excellent so far. Brilliant work to create the goal.
GOAL! Australia 1-0 Nigeria
29 mins: Simon with the opener! That’s why she’s started this one. De Vanna with an excellent run, beating a couple of tackles before sliding it to Simon who tucks it away nicely. Perfect timing. Just what the Matildas needed.
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25 mins: You just get the suspicion Nigeria are always a simple mistake away from conceding. Not sure what it is but their defence just doesn’t inspire confidence. That said, they’ve looked solid enough for the first 26 minutes.
23 mins: Australia are being outmuscled across the park, which is no real surprise considering how physical the Nigerians are but it’s still a surprise to see it happening so often. The Matildas look at their best when they’re hitting quick passes around, which hasn’t happened enough so far.
21 mins: Sam Kerr gets a weak shot away under pressure in the area. It was never really going to trouble the keeper but at least it’s a sign of intent. Nigeria still look the more dangerous of the two sides, but the Matildas are much better orgainsed in defence.
18 mins: Williams gets her body behind a low shot from Nwabuoko. The Nigerian midfielder didn’t really connect properly and it’s comfortable enough for the keeper.
15 mins: Hint of handball in the area? Stajcic certainly thinks it’s worth a shout. Kerr’s cross seemed to hit Chukwunonye halfway up the body/arm. Debatable. Corner now for the Matildas... but Kennedy is penalised for being a tad too forceful. Debatable again.
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12 mins: Bit better from the Aussies, who are finally starting to string a few passes together. Still not created much though, whereas Nigeria look dangerous every time they get near Williams’ goal.
10 mins: Australia struggling to put their foot on the ball. They’re being a little too enthusiastic at the minute, playing at pace but giving the ball away far too often. Nigeria have looked comfortable in defence, although they have a tendency to switch off... and no sooner have I said that than Kerr whips one in that De Vanna is inches away from connecting from. She was totally unmarked.
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7 mins: Nigeria doing most of the early running. The Matildas look a little stretched, a couple of worrying moments for Williams but nothing clear-cut so far.
5 mins: After scoring in Nigeria’s opening game, more than a few eyes will be on rising star Asisat Oshoala and whether the Matildas can contain her. Tameka Butt hinted as much earlier this week. For the record, Oshoala plays for Liverpool and has scored 11 goals in 15 internationals. Last month, she won the BBC’s women’s footballer of the year award and last year won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at the Under-20 World Cup. Not a shabby CV for one so young. Possibly more worrying for the Matildas, she was outshone by teammate Ngozi Okobi in the Sweden game. That should tell you something about the talent in this Nigeria squad.
3 mins: Kerr wins an early free-kick right on the edge of the box. Early chance for Australia... but it goes straight at the wall and ends up in the keeper’s hands. Disappointing.
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Kick-off
1 min: Peeeeeep! And we’re off. Alleway with a risky ball back but Oparanozie trips over it. She probably couldn’t believe her luck. Early nerves.
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Here are the starting line-ups. Still no Polkinghorne for Australia. It’s as you were for Nigeria.
Australia XI: Williams (GK), Alleway, Catley, Kellond-Knight, Foord, van Egmond, De Vanna, Kennedy, Simon, Gorry, Kerr.
Nigeria XI: Dede (GK), Ohale, Chukwunonye, Ebi, Ebere, Oshoala, Nwabuoku, Ayinge, Okobi, Oparanozie, Ordega.
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For those of you who didn’t see Nigeria in action against the Swedes, here are the highlights. Pretty much sums up everything that’s good, bad and ugly about them.
Preamble
Hello everyone, first up a pat on the back for all you bleary-eyed Matildas fans who have woken up early on a Saturday just to support the team. If there’s an early goal, make sure you don’t spill cornflakes and coffee down your green and gold jersey. That’s why I always plump for a bacon cob*.
(*Press the red button to switch on/off colloquialism mode).
Still, while the debate over synthetic turf and wages disparity rages on, it’s good to know the women’s game is on an equal footing with the men when it comes to getting up at silly times to follow your team. It just wouldn’t feel like a World Cup if you didn’t have red eyes for at least one match.
Anyway, to the game at hand. To put it simply for Matildas fans: lose = very bad. To put it slightly less simplistically, if Australia lose this one, there won’t be much point watching the game against Sweden on Tuesday. Win this one, and they’re in the driver’s seat heading into the final group game. But that’s easier said than done. Cliche-loving commentators don’t just hand out titles like “Group of Death” willy nilly *cough* and although the Nigerians are the lowest ranked team in the group, Edwin Okon’s unpredictable team are no pushovers. Their defending can be suspect, but after hitting 40 goals in their last 10 games, they can afford to be a little loose at the back – as Sweden found out in their cracking 3-3 draw. If nothing else, it suggests we should expect a few goals.
While Richard makes his way to the hotseat, have a look how the tournament is shaping up with the Guardian’s interactive wallchart fixture result whizzbang thing.
And, just for a bit of fun, check out the Matildas squad with these nifty interactive cards.
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