Izuchukwu OkosiThere were opening day wins for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosts, Australia and New Zealand on Thursday as they defeated Norway and Republic in Groups A and B respectively.
The fixture between Australia and Republic of Ireland was of interest to Nigerians whose national team, Super Falcons are in the same group.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa saw the game and here we present our four takeaways from the oppositions.
1. Ireland’s Impressive Heat Map
The Irish girls may have lost the game by the odd goal but they were not easy mincemeat for the co-hosts.
The emotions of the players who were reduced to tears after the slim 1-0 loss told the story about their efforts.
The players of Republic of Ireland team covered every blade of the pitch and they worked for each other.
Their staying power was there for all to see and perhaps if this was a knockout game, they would be favourites to get something out of it.
2. Australia’s Pass Completion
While Republic of Ireland came out tops in terms of the areas on the field of play, the Aussies completed more passes.
The Maltidas also stifled their opponents from playing out of the back with their pressing game.
In fact in the first half, there was only one shot on goal – which came from an Australian player.
3. Australia’s Ball Recoveries
One significant stats in favour of Australia in the second game of Thursday was that they had better recoveries of the ball.
The World Cup co-hosts did not play without the ball for a maximum period of five minutes all thanks to their impressive pressing.
They also went long with the passes to deprive Ireland whose strong point was apparently in their bundle of energy.
4. Physical Irish
The Irish girls were ostensibly frustrated by the better passing range of their rivals and in some cases resorted to heavy tackles.
That of course did not go unpunished and ultimately culminated in the penalty that undid all their hard work.
The Super Falcons would have to make use of their pace down the flanks against the Irish.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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