France Coach Diacre: Super Falcons Will Be Difficult To Beat

Adeboye Amosu
1 hour ago

France head coach Corinne Diacre has predicted a tough battle for her side when they come up against the Super Falcons of Nigeria in their last group game at the FIFA Women’s World Cup next week Monday, reports Completesports.com.

The hosts defeated Norway 2-1 in Nice on Wednesday to maintain their perfect start to the competition.

Valerie Gauvin gave France the lead early in the second half.

Amel Majri’s cross found Gauvin, who got in front of Chelsea’s Maria Thorisdottir to send the ball into the net.

Norway equalised eight minutes later when Wendie Renard put the ball into her own net.

A penalty by Eugenie Le Sommer, after Marion Torrent was fouled by Ingrid Syrstad Engen, earned France three points in the game.

France top Group A with six points from two games – three ahead of second-placed Norway and third-placed Nigeria – with one group game left against Nigeria on Monday.

”I am going to relax, think about it tomorrow, then we will reflect on things – what we can do, who may stay on the bench because we did have some injuries and let them recover,”Diacre told reporters after her side victory against the Norwegians.

”We are going to have to think about this long and hard.

”Norway gave us a hard time, Nigeria will probably do the same. For the time being, now we are just going to stay put and fight hard to win that match against Nigeria”.

The France versus Nigeria game will be played at the Roazhon Park, Rennes. Kick-off is 8pm Nigerian time.

By Neil Johnston

BBC Sport

A brilliant goal by former Liverpool forward Asisat Oshoala helped earn Nigeria a first win at the 2019 Women's World Cup - and all but end South Korea's hopes of reaching the last-16.

Nigeria went ahead when defender Kim Do-yeon volleyed past her own keeper.

Ex-Arsenal player Oshoala held off a defender before rounding the keeper to score Nigeria's second goal.

South Korea, who face Norway in their third and final group match on Monday, have yet to score or earn a point.

Nigeria will confirm a place in the knockout stage if they beat hosts France, one of the tournament favourites, on Monday (20:00 BST) in Rennes.

However, they could also advance as one of the four best third-placed teams.

"We said when we started that we wanted to be in the last 16. Nothing has changed," said Nigeria boss Thomas Dennerby.

"We already have a good team spirit but maybe this win will give us a little bit more. Now we go to play France, a really good team.

"If we can come out with a point everyone would be extremely happy."

Having qualified for the World Cup after finishing fifth at the 2018 Asian Cup, South Korea are anchored at the bottom of Group A with a goal difference of minus six.

They played well in spells against the champions of Africa but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal once again cost them.

After losing 4-0 to hosts France in their opening group game, they fired more blanks as Nigeria's 18-year-old keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie had little to do.

Nigeria also came into this game on the back of a defeat after losing 3-0 to Norway. and had lost their previous three Women's World Cup games.

However, they were gifted the lead when Kim put the ball into her own net while under pressure from Nigeria's captain Desire Oparanozie.

There was a delay while the video assistant referee (VAR) checked for a possible handball against Oparanozie.

Yet there was no luck about the second goal, Oshoala producing a superb piece of quality to score one of the goals of the tournament so far.

Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun was booked for diving while trying to win a penalty for South Korea when the score was 1-0.

"I need to apologise to the fans who cheered for us here in the stadium and back home because we did not meet their expectations," said South Korea boss Yoon Deok-yeo.

"Our players had some good chances but the end result is a loss and we need to accept that.

"We have one match left here and I hope we can show everyone what we are capable of."

Nigeria end five hour goal drought - the stats

⚫Nigeria had played for five hours and two minutes since scoring their last World Cup goal.

⚫South Korea's Ji So-yun was booked for simulation - the first yellow card for simulation in a Women's World Cup match since Erika for Brazil v USA in 2011.

⚫Nigeria won a World Cup game by more than one goal for only the second time. They beat Denmark 2-0 in 1999.

⚫Both own goals at this World Cup have come in games featuring Nigeria.

⚫Nigeria kept their first clean sheet in 15 Women's World Cup matches.

⚫Nigeria are the first team to both score and concede an own goal at the same Women's World Cup tournament since 1999.

Chiefochiefo:
Nig 10-0 Fra

Joromi12:
sure loss. over 4.5

Suspect33:
am rooting for France jare, am watching this tournament just to see fine girls , and there's nothing attractive about our women, looking like old men with stone breast

Juliusmalema:
God let this one be less than 6- 0 or if u will allow let this cup pass over us but still let your will be done.

kheny12:
Head must be paining you,so u think say na beauty peagent you dey watch.

Suspect33:
lol , leave me jare, i like fine girls