The Super Falcons of Nigeria will aim to make it to the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup for the third time in history of the competition when they play Republic of Ireland in Brisbane on Monday
Republic of ireland midfielder, Marissa Sheva says the team will give the Super Falcons a tough challenge in their final group game in the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Soccernet.ng reports
Super Falcons are surprisingly top of their Group B which also includes Olympics champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and Ireland after all the teams have played two games each.
The Girls in Green have already been eliminated after they lost their first two games to Australia and Canada, while Randy Waldrum’s Nigeria can guarantee progression to the knockout stages by avoiding defeat against the Irish.
Though, the African side can still qualify to the second round if Canada beat Australia in the other match, no matter the outcome of their game against Ireland.
In the other Group B match between co-hosts Australia and Canada, the Matildas must claim maximum points against the CONCANCAF nation to guarantee their qualification, and a point might be enough for them should Vera Pauw’s Ireland beat Nigeria by two goals margin, while Bev Priestman’s Canada are guaranteed a safe passage to the first knockout stage with a point against the host country.
Ireland, who will be exiting the tournament after their final group game against Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday, are looking to end the tournament on a high.
Marissa Sheva, who came on as second-half substitute in their 2-1 defeat to Canada, has echoed the words of her teammates ahead of the decisive encounter against the nine-time African champions.
You will never see us give up, She told bbc.com
I am so proud of this team for that reason. We will go into that next game in Brisbane and we will fight like hell.
We will try to come back with a result for Ireland, the fans who came out here to watch us to show just how good the team is
You saw it at times. We’re so close to being one of the best teams in the world, everyone can see that.
With this being our first tournament, the fact we are so disappointed that we held Canada to a 2-1 and it could have been very different result, I think you see that.
We’ll be back but we definitely have business to finish with Nigeria.
Final Group B game between the Super Falcons and the Girls in Green will take place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Monday 31st of July, 11 am Nigerian time.
