TheCable

Super Falcons of Nigeria lost 2-0 to Australia in their second Group D match at the Winnipeg Stadium.

Two goals in each half by Kyah Simon condemned Nigeria to defeat and they are now faced with a win-or-bust  situation in their last group match against USA.

Returning to the venue where Australia lost 3-1 to USA and Nigeria drew 3-3 with Sweden, it was the Matildas who had the better result this time around.

Captain Lisa De Vanna turned the provider against the African champions with a determined drive. She went past two defenders and was hacked down by a third just as she released Simon on the left.

The striker finished cleanly with her left foot past Nigerian keeper Precious Dede.

Nigeria were put on the back foot after the goal and they almost went 2-0 behind but Simon’s first effort was blocked and De Vanna’s volley from the rebound went narrowly wide.

The Super Falcons then began to threaten at the other end, but Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams was alert to the danger posed by Desire Oparanozie taking the ball off her feet with a sliding challenge.

Seconds later, Ngozi Okobi attempted an audacious volley from long-range but her effort sailed high.

Simon extended Australia’s lead in the second half beating the offside trap and volleying home Sam Kerr’s ball over the top.

In the other group game, USA and Sweden played a goalless draw in a keenly contested game.

The two-time world champions dominated play for a large part of the match but couldn’t make it count against the determined Swedes.

Australia win against Nigeria mean the Matildas need just a draw against Sweden in their final group game on Tuesday to qualify for the round of 16.

The Falcons, on the other hand, face a difficult task as they need a victory against USA to progress to the knock-out stages.