Japan vs Nigeria: Paris 2024 Olympics preview, details, head-to-head, analysis as Super Falcons look to finish Group C on a high

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have a final chance to put a smile on the faces of their fans as they take on Japan in their final Group C Paris 2024 Olympics game at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Soccernet.ng brings to light the vast difference between the Super Falcons and the Nadeshiko of Japan. While the Nigerian team are vibrant on the African continent, the Japanese team are a powerhouse in World Football.

In the Olympics history, Futoshi Ikeda's team won the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics. On the global football stage, Japan won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and went home with a silver medal in the 2015 edition.

For the Super Falcons, their best-ever finish in a World Cup tournament was in the quarter-finals of the 1999 edition.

Japan and Nigeria lost their opening Group C games, but the Japanese nicked three points in their second game against Brazil while Nigeria lost to Spain, leaving their last group game open as both sides look to qualify. Japan need just a point to qualify, while the Super Falcons need to win by at least two goals to get to the next stage of the tournament as best losers.

Match Analysis

Both teams want to win this game, but the Super Falcons will be more desperate as they need all three points to make sure they stay in Paris while Japan might be more reserved as they need to see the game out without conceding to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Nigeria have lost their last three games, and are without a win in their last four, scoring zero goals in their last four and conceding three while Japan have won two of their last five games, losing two. They've also scored five goals and conceded six in that time.

The Japanese have a much better attack while the Super Eagles have defended better. However, both sides need the opposites of those to bring their best game to Nantes tomorrow. Nigeria needs to score, and Japan needs to defend.

Head to head

The Super Falcons have played against Japan on three occasions. Both sides met for the first time at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In that encounter, Nigeria nicked a 1-0 win over the Japanese team, courtesy of a goal by Vera Okolo.

Outside that, both teams have met twice during International friendlies. Japan won twice, with a 2-0 scoreline.

Probable lineups

Nigeria: 4-2-3-1

Chiamaka Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, Chidinma Okeke; Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe; Ifeoma Onumonu, Toni Payne, Rasheedat Ajibade; Asisat Oshoala.

Japan: 3-5-2

Ayaka Yamashita; Toko Koga, Saki Kumagai, Moeka Minami; Miyabi Moriya, Hinata Miyazawa, Fuka Nagano, Yui Hasegawa, Risa Shimizu; Mina Tanaka, Maika Hamano.

Match details

Competition: Paris 2024 Olympics

Match: Japan vs Nigeria

Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Venue: Stade de le Beaujoire, Nantes.

Kickoff time: 4 PM (Nigerian time)