The Matildas have secured their first win at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, defeating Nigeria 2-0 in Winnipeg.
A Kyah Simon goal in each half was enough for the Australians to grab the three points and help make progression through to the knockout stages all the more likely.
Australia opened the scoring just before the half hour mark. A brilliant run from Lisa De Vanna saw the Matilda’s captain beat three defenders before playing in Kyah Simon on the left. The number 17’s angled strike was too good for Nigerian goalkeeper Precious Dede.
Although the Super Falcons were dangerous going forward, they never really tested Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams. Simon scored her second in the 68th minute. Caitlin Foord’s cross was not cleared by the Nigerian defence allowing Sam Kerr, who was at the top of the box, to play a looping ball over the defence. Both Simon and Tameka Butt were onside and there to finish, with the former getting the tap in.
A different performance
The Matildas came out firing in their first match against the USA. They played at a breathless pace, pressing high defensively and creating numerous chances for majority of the first half and the opening stages of the second. The fade out which came from the super start allowed the Americans to score two goals and ultimately contributed to the loss.
Today against Nigeria, the Matildas were much more relaxed and slow in their approach. The Aussies were still very dominant and creative with their chances going forward but were a lot less dogged in their defending of Nigeria.
This could have come from lessons learnt from the game against the USA or due to the conditions. A warm day in Winnipeg coupled with the heat retained by the synthetic turf made it a difficult match to play in.
De Vanna and Kellond-Knight were instrumental
Lisa De Vanna and Elise Kellond-Knight were both phenomenal in their respective roles against Nigeria. Kellond-Knight has been superb in both group D matches at this World Cup. Her cover of the back four has been crucial to the Matildas game, as has her ability to play the ball out from the defence.
A little further up the park and co-captain De Vanna has played a vital role in the majority of the Australians’ attacking moves. Although she played further forward against the US, scoring the only Australian goal in that match, her performance against Nigeria saw her dropping deeper into the midfield to pick up the ball. It was this which saw her pick up the ball to assist Kyah Simon for her first goal.
These two players will be instrumental not only against Sweden in the Matildas’ final group match but in the knockout stages of the tournament, presuming they progress.
Nigeria lacked shape
Nigeria was always going to be a threat in this group, proven by its performance against Sweden in the first match. While its pace and youth make it a fearless side with real attacking flair, its unpredictably, in-game plan and structure, did not serve them as well against the Matildas as it did Sweden.
Both in attack and defence, there seemed to be very little shape to the team. Whilst this made Nigeria difficult to defend, it also made trying to string together an attack harder. Nigeria consistently put good balls into the box but were very static and lacked that killer finish. It is difficult to say how Nigeria’s unpredictability will play out against the US in their final group match.
Kyah Simon killed it
Tasked with leading the line, Kyah Simon made no mistake in front of goal. A brace to the 23-year-old highlighted an overall great performance as the central striker. She was clinical in front of goal and consistently presented a good attacking option. Her combination with the other girls in the front three – Kerr and De Vanna, who provided the assists on both of her goals – was outstanding. Simon proved herself as the potential game changer who Australia can call deeper in the tournament.
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