Nigeria Shocks Australia at World Cup Host Stadium: The Rise of an Underprivileged Team

2023-07-27 18:23:46
Nigeria they got three golden points, which leave them with the option of qualifying for the Round of 16 if they draw or beat Ireland in the last group stage match. (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Australia experienced the worst nightmare for a World Cup host: losing to their fans. The debacle was the work of Nigeria, a team that arrived at Suncorp Stadium with the tag of underprivileged team, but in fact it revealed the pride that characterizes African football. Those at home still couldn’t count on Sam Kerr, his star who plays for Chelsea, suffering from an injury. But the roles were clear: they came as favorites.

And it seemed that, at the end of the first half, they could validate that hypothesis with the goal scored by Emily Van Egmond. Her shot was soft, but she got just enough placement to get the ball out of the keeper’s reach. Tochukwu Oluehi. It seemed like the necessary support for the pressing moment they were experiencing in the match, knowing that they needed to win the match to secure a ticket to the Round of 16.

But the reaction was immediate. The five minutes of added time, in the first half, were enough to see both teams open the scoring. Nigeria found the tie through the work of Uchenna KanuTigres player, who took advantage of the center of Rasheedat Ajibade to finish off and beat the goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. Sor goal was a balm of calm in the most difficult moment for Nigeria in the match.

And in the second half everything exploded. A corner kick delivery delivered the necessary drama that every surprise scorer calls for. Ajibade’s recent center found a receiver in Osinachi Ohale, who finished off with a header to push the ball, with everything and the accidental kick in the abdomen that he gave him Alanna Kennedy (The Australian defender wanted to clear the ball, and lost sight of Ohale, so she ended up hitting her, but unintentionally.) At 65 minutes, Nigeria could boast of victory.

And it took five minutes for that advantage to increase. Everything was born from the feet of Toni Payne, who sent a long ball. Initially, it seemed that Kennedy and the Australian goalkeeper, Arnold, could control the situation, but there was a serious miscommunication, and Kennedy ended up throwing his teammate off position and giving the ball to Asisat Oshoala, who had come on as a substitute and, With his freshness, he took advantage of the defensive lack of concentration to sign the 3-1 that made an entire country explode with joy.

Continue reading the story

Australia threw their entire arsenal up front, but lacked precision and found themselves with an unfazed goalkeeper, as she is Chiamaka Repair. The eleven minutes added to regulation time were a total spectacle. The locals felt they could do the feat with two minutes left on the clock. A sensational header from Kennedy, thus amending his mistake of the third goal against, made it 2-3. They believed in a draw and were close to achieving it. In the last ten seconds of the match, Ellie Carpenter He found a free kick ball. His shot, however, carried no power and fell into Nnadozie’s hands. Everything is over.

The party belonged to Nigeria, which reached four points (it drew 0-0 in the first game against Canada). Australia will now have to play everything in the last game, also against Canada. Currently, Nigeria leads the group with four points. Canada also has four. Australia has three and Ireland, without units, is out of the contest. The last date will be total madness. Three teams have the option to qualify, but must win to do so. Australia have been disappointed, although they can make amends. Nigeria, for their part, should not be overconfident, because Ireland will surely want to go away with their faces held high. Everything is set for one last explosive day.