Unless the absolute doomsday scenario takes place in the final round of games, the US will be through to the Women’s World Cup knockout stage. A win in its final group game against Nigeria will also secure the United States’ passage to the round of 16 as Group D winners.
The Americans, the current leaders of the so-called “Group of Death,” suffered a rare shutout against Sweden. Their offense will look to get back on track ahead of the knockout round by shooting down the Super Falcons. However, the attack-minded Africans have nothing to lose, and will be out to spoil the Americans’ plans.
Read on for our preview of this Group D decider. Also, don’t forget to check out our preview of Group D’s other match on Tuesday, Australia vs. Sweden.
After coming back to claim an improbable 3-3 draw against Sweden, there was no repeat dramatic comeback for Nigeria as the Super Falcons sunk to a 2-0 loss to Australia on Friday. The Nigerians gave the Matildas all they could handle, as they fired 12 shots on the Aussie goal.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]But the Africans were just lacking that extra bit of quality in the final third and failed to capitalize on any of their goalscoring opportunities. The prolific strike partnership of Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala combined for six shots, but just one was on target.
The Nigerians are now stuck at the bottom of the “Group of Death” with just one point, and are in need of a win against group-leaders USA to have any realistic hope of reaching the knockout round.
As their first two group games have shown, the Super Falcons are going to attack. Even against superior opposition, they are more than willing to get bodies forward. That could be even more true in their next game, as they’ll have essentially nothing to lose and everything to gain by going at the heavily-favored Americans. Oparanozie and Oshoala (33 goals in 50 caps combined) definitely have goals in them, and will threaten Hope Solo’s goal.
The bigger questions would be a) whether they can actually break down a resolute American defense and b) whether their own defense can keep the American attack at bay. Suffice it to say, their chances of achieving both aren’t exactly the best.
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Betting on the USA
The USA was held to a scoreless draw by Sweden on Friday, the first time the Americans had been shut out in a World Cup game since their 4-0 semifinal loss against Brazil in 2007. The Americans dominated large parts of the game, but they couldn’t quite deliver the killer ball in the final third.
Despite the draw, the US is still one point clear at the top of Group D with one game left to go. A win would guarantee the Americans’ passage to the round of 16 as group winners. But in the event of a draw between Australia and Sweden, a draw or even a loss against Nigeria could still see the US through as group winners.
However, don’t expect the Americans to rest on their laurels and play things safe. They will want to head into the knockout rounds with as much momentum as possible, and a big win over Nigeria would do just that. The US should have too much firepower for a Nigeria defense that has conceded five goals in two games thus far.
After failing to feature in the first 11 for the first time since 2003, all-time record goalscorer Abby Wambach (182 goals in 243 caps) could make her return to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, forward Alex Morgan (51 goals in 86 caps) should be creeping back to full fitness after logging in 23 minutes as a substitute in the first two games.
On the other end of the pitch, the American defense, anchored by outstanding goalie Hope Solo, will be tough to crack. The US has conceded just once in two tournament games.
Writer’s Prediction
The USA (-360) turns on the style with a 3-0 win over Nigeria.
