9th June, 2015
Super Falcons’ Coach, Edwin Okon, has said that his team’s second Group D game against Australia on Friday is a must-win.
Okon, who hailed his side’s superlative performance against world soccer power, Sweden, in yesterday’s group opener at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada said at the post-match press conference, said that the team will swiftly go back to the drawing board to correct lapses in the 3-3 draw.
“We will go back to the drawing board to make sure we correct those mistakes of conceding own goals and not being able to defend set-pieces. We played a brand of football that was more of skill to entertain our fans.
“Our next match against Australia is a must-win and we are moving forward from there. Nothing is going to stop us,” he said.
Scorer of the Nigeria’s first goal against Sweden and Player of the Match, Ngozi Okobi also said she was excited for the individual award.
Okobi disclosed that beating Sweden was the plan but that the team is happy to come away with a draw. “I am excited about this game because this is my first World Cup goal and I thank God for giving me the chance and opportunity to do this.
“I was not surprised with our performance because we had planned to win the match against Sweden. The goals they scored were given to them by us, so I think we did well.”
To Desire Oparanozie and her Nigerian team-mates, that singular point against Sweden is something to be treasured, and it could be an essential one for the Super Falcons and their hopes of reaching the knockout stage at the Women’s World Cup for the first time since USA 1999. “This draw feels like a win,” Oparanozie told FIFA.com after the match. “It really did help,” Nigeria’s No. 9 explained. “It motivated us a whole lot. It was a good thing knowing that the crowd was behind us. They wanted to see us score; they wanted to see us do more. That really made us push harder and give our all.”
“There’s no word to explain this feeling,” Oparanozie said smiling. “It’s a great feeling. Having gone down two goals and having come back to level it is quite tremendous. We feel very happy.”