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By Peter Akinbo
Nigerian football fans are already expecting a rough path for the Super Falcons in the round of 16 of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after the team progressed into the knockout stages on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Super Falcons played out a goalless draw against already eliminated Republic of Ireland in Brisbane and qualified for the last 16 as the second-best team in Group B with five points.
Co-hosts Australia finished top of the table with six points after thumping Canada 4-0 in a simultaneous last group game.
As a result, Randy Waldrum’s side are likely to face European champions, England, who only need a draw against China to top Group D on Tuesday (today), a clash the fans feel the Falcons could have avoided with a win against Ireland.
A disappointed fan, who had wanted the Falcons to top Group B and most likely avoid England, Adedamola Samuel wrote on Twitter, “Why Nigeria were so content with a draw here is beyond my imagination, yeah, a real shame they didn’t go for it. Nigeria will almost certainly play England in the last 16.”
Isaac Obinna asked the girls to put in a better performance in their potential clash against England.
“A very poor game in the first half, we should have won this match if Super Falcons were serious. Nice game, Alozie, you had a great second half. Please you all sit up against England or you’ll lose heavily,” he wrote.
A Twitter user named Okechukwu asked the Falcons to work on some areas to avoid a distasteful defeat against England, “We need to work on: First touches, Finishing, Positioning, Intensity. Will hate to lose to England, come on you Falcons!!
Another user, Obiora Obetta recognises the tough task ahead of Nigeria if they draw England in the last 16.
“A good fight from the girls. We needed a win to face the second best team in the knockout but it didn’t happen. It is a tough job ahead to face England. Congratulations to all of you,” he wrote.
Abayomi Yusuf, while replying to the official Falcons Twitter post, which stated, “Job done!”, said they did not do their job against Ireland. “This is not a good “job done.” The attackers were comfortable holding the ball for far too long. They have put us in a difficult situation (playing England).”
Another Twitter user, @moolah79 wrote disappointedly, “It was pretty obvious from our overly defensive & conservative approach that we were going for a draw when we could win. Now here is our prize…ENGLAND. It’s time Waldrum considered starting Oparanozie ahead of Oshoala, this certainly isn’t the Asisat we know. End of the road.”
Another fan, @osamaematon congratulated the Falcons but is also disappointed with the potential clash against the Lionesses, “Congratulations, but we should have won that game to be in a better position, now we meet England in the next round.”
TweetsOfSamitez simply wrote, “Omorrr England go hard oh.”
Another Nigerian, @Johanes61833770 predicted a thrashing if the Falcons drew England, “With how we have played in this game, our next opponent will be Englalnd and this team that can’t pass or even shoot to save their lives will be flogged.”