Australia continues their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ campaign against Nigeria on Thursday, 27 July (8:00 pm AEST), with the chance to book their spot in the knockout stages.
The game at Brisbane Stadium will see the CommBank Matildas face Nigeria for the second time, a repeat of their 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup group stage where they recorded a 2-0 win over the African side.
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Squad News
Gustavsson was asked about player availability after it was revealed today that Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik will join the likes of Sam Kerr on the sidelines, with all three players being unavailable for selection after Kerr's calf injury before the Republic of Ireland game and Fowler and Luik's mild concussions they sustained yesterday in training.
“When it’s concussion protocol as a coach, you have to have the biggest respect for player health – if a player is ruled out, they’re ruled out,” said Gustavsson.
Gustavsson revealed that Tameka Yallop is still on limited minutes after she makes her return from the injury she sustained against France. At the same time, defenders Clare Polkinghorne and Alanna Kennedy are also available, with the latter playing her first 90 minutes for Australia in over a year in the side's victory over the Republic of Ireland.
The head coach was asked in the pre-match press conference about the return of striker Sam Kerr, “Most likely we won’t be able to give an answer on [Kerr’s status] until the day before the (Canada) game,” he said. “We want to wait until the last minute to see where she’s at in terms of availability.”
Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams, Teagan Micah, Mackenzie Arnold
Defenders: Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Clare Polkinghorne, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Ellie Carpenter, Charlotte Grant
Midfielders/Forwards: Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Alex Chidiac, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond, Mary Fowler, Tameka Yallop, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Kyra Cooney-Cross
Our Opponent
Nigeria held the Olympic Champions, Canada, to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was named Player of the Match in the stalemate against Canada, made a crucial penalty save against Christine Sinclair to ensure Nigeria walked away with a point in their Group B opener.
Midfielder Deborah Abiodun will be unavailable for selection in Thursday night's game, with the 19-year-old having her yellow card upgraded to red after a tackle on Ashley Lawerence in the dying minutes of the game.
Goalkeepers: Yetunde Balogun, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi
Defenders: Tosin Demehin, Onome Ebi, Rofiat Imuran, Osinachi Ohale, Glory Ogbonna, Ashleigh Plumptre
Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe
Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Michelle Alozie, Gift Monday, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega, Asisat Oshoala, Toni Payne
For all the latest news and information regarding our FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, stay updated via the official CommBank Matildas website.
FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ - Group B Matchday 2
Australia v Nigeria
Date: Thursday, 27 July 2023
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 8:00 pm (AEST)