Australia gave themselves a fighting chance of qualification to this year’s knockout stages after a Kyah Simon brace gave them a 2-0 victory over Nigeria, who now must beat top of the group USA in their final game to progress.
The first ten minutes came and went with no real goal-mouth action despite Desire Oparanozie finding herself in dangerous positions for Nigeria, but the striker’s first touch was decisively lacking.
As the clock neared 30 minutes the deadlock was broken by Australia after captain Lisa De Vanna made a driving run through the heart of Nigerian defence before setting up Simon whose lob over Precious Dede nestled perfectly in to the net.
Simon then nearly made it two, minutes later, but her effort was blocked by the Nigerian defenders before De Vanna’s follow-up volley was fired just wide.
Nigeria looked to threaten and get back in the game once more through Oparanozie but Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams thwarted her effort with a sliding tackle at the number 9’s feet. Liverpool Ladies’ Asisat Oshoala then had a golden opportunity for the Super Falcons but sliced her volley wide from close range.
The Matilda’s capitalised on their opponents near misses and doubled their advantage shortly after as Simon grabbed her second of the game following Samantha Kerr’s floated cross picked her out in the box.
Laura Alleway was then denied by the crossbar in what was an eventful final few minutes which saw Nigeria lucky to finish with eleven still on the pitch after Onome Ebi elbowed Kerr in the jaw.
As it was the game finished 2-0 to Australia, leaving their opponents with it all to do in the final group D fixtures.
