- Waldrum-led side begins training for Monday’s tie
Former Olympic Eagles assistant coach Hassan Abdallah has advised the Super Falcons to gird their loins as they gear up for Monday’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 tie against the Three Lionesses of England in Brisbane.
“I have watched the English team very well in this competition and they can create chances and they are more tactical as such, our next match is going to be very tough,” Abdallah, brother to Super Eagles assistant coach, Usman Abdallah, said. “ But like we did in the first game against Canada, let us pretend as underdogs against England and then use our knowledge about them to gain advantage over them.”
Abdallah who assisted coach Samson Siasia when Nigeria wrought the soccer Bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games , remains optimistic about the chances of the former African champions against the current European champions, adding Randy Waldrum’s tactical nous might help the Super Falcons on Monday.
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“I think the Super Falcons coach have some technical impetus which means , he studies the opposing teams very well ,” he continued.“ As far as a Nigerian team is concerned, what we used to defeat the opponents is our strength (physicality) and this is true of both our men or women’s teams because we are naturally fit .
“Generally, I think the coach has been very tactical in his approach to our matches and I think we would go far in this competition ,” Abdallah noted in the interview with Brila FM.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons yesterday started preparations for the all-important Monday’s match against the Three Lionesses yesterday (Thursday Down Under) at the Lions FC Stadium in Brisbane after a two-day rest.
NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, noted in a release that the players were given the break by the technical crew following their goalless draw with Republic of Ireland and qualification for the Round of 16, adding :“Players used the opportunity to stretch their legs and see a few places of interest close to their hotel.”
Now, their attention he said, has no shifted to training ahead of the crucial game on Monday.
Incidentally, Nigeria and England have clashed thrice previously at senior women international level, with the Falcons winning two of the three matches.