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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Australia play their biggest match ever as they face England

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The Stadium Australia is expected to be packed on Wednesday as joint hosts, Australia face England in the  second FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 semi-final. It is a clash of hosts against European champions.

This will be Australia’s first semi-final appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, after they bowed out at the quarter-final stage in three of their previous campaigns (2007, 2011 and 2015).

In reaching the last four, the Matildas became only the second nation to have made it through to the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals as hosts, after the USA, who were winners in 1999 and finished third in 2003. Tony Gustavsson’s charges will have a golden opportunity to make yet more history if they manage to overcome England in this one.

England have reached the semi-finals for the third consecutive edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Led by Sarina Wiegman – the only female coach left in the competition – the Lionesses overcame a valiant Colombia side in the last eight and will be going all out to secure their spot in a second successive major tournament final, after lifting the EURO crown on home soil in 2022.

LAST MEETING:

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  • 11/04/2023, England 0-2 Australia, friendly, Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford (England)

KEY FACTS

This will be a 32nd FIFA Women’s World Cup fixture for both nations. Australia’s record at the finals reads: Won: 10, Drawn: 7,  Lost: 14, while England’s is:  Won: 19,  Drawn: 5, Lost: 7.

This will be the teams’ first FIFA Women’s World Cup meeting. England will be Australia’s 17th different opponent in the competition, while the Lionesses will be facing their 18th different opponent.

Australia are the third Asian Football Confederation (AFC) representatives to feature in the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, after China PR (1995, 1999) and Japan (2011, 2015).

The AFC teams’ record in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last four reads: Won 3,  Lost 1.

Sides from the region have emerged victorious in each of their last three matches at this stage of the tournament, since China PR lost to Germany at the 1995 edition.

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Australia have scored 47 goals in FIFA Women’s World Cup history and are therefore three shy of the 50 goal landmark.

Australia’s 31 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches have yielded a total of 100 goals (Goals For: 47, Goals Against: 53).

Australia’s nine-goal haul at this year’s finals has equalled their previous highest tally in a single edition of the tournament, which they recorded at the 2007 and 2019 instalments.

England have won 10 and drawn one of their last 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (Won:10, Drawn 1, Lost 2).

The Lionesses have prevailed in three and drawn one of their five FIFA Women’s World Cup outings against AFC opposition (Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 1).

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England’s highest goals tally at a FIFA Women’s World Cup final competition is 13 (2019). They have found the net ten times so far at these finals.

England’s goalless stalemate against Nigeria in the round of 16 is the only occasion in their last 18 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches in which they have failed to score.

When she scored in the quarter-finals, Lauren Hemp (23y 5d) became the youngest England player to have netted in a FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout-stage match, claiming the record from her teammate Lucy Bronze, who was aged 23 years and 237 days when she was on target in the roundof16 meeting against Norway at the 2015 tournament.

AUSTRALIA TEAM FACTS

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS

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  • Overall record: Played: 31, Won: 10, Drawn: 7, Lost: 14, Goals For: 47, Goal Against: 53, Goals Difference: -6 
  • Biggest win: 4-0 Australia v. Canada (31/07/2023)
  • Biggest defeat: 0-5Australia v. Denmark (06/06/1995)
  • Highest scoring match: 6 goals – Australia 2-4 China PR (08/06/1995)
  • Most goals scored in a match: 4 – Australia 4-1 Ghana (12/09/2007)/Australia 4-1 Jamaica (18/06/2019)/Australia 4-0 Canada (31/07/2023)
  • Most goals conceded in a match: 5 – Australia 0-5 Denmark (06/06/1995)
  • Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 9 – 2007, 2019 and 2023 (5 matches)
  • Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 1995, 1999 and 2003 (3 matches) Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 13 – 1995 (3 matches)
  • Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 2023 (5 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

  • Successive wins: 2 (2011, 2019 and 2023)
  • Successive defeats: 3 (1995 and 1999-2003)
  • Successive draws: 2 (2007)
  • Successive matches without a defeat: 4 (2019-2023)
  • Successive matches without a win: 9 (1995-2003)
  • Successive matches with a goal scored: 12 (1995-2007)
  • Successive matches without scoring: 1 (four times, the last of which was 2023-present)
  • Successive clean sheets: 3 (2023-present)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP EXTRA-TIME MATCHES

  • 22/06/2019 Australia 1-1 Norway (1-4 PSO) (round of 16)
  • 12/08/2023 Australia 0-0 France (7-6 PSO) (quarter-finals)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS (Won 0, Lost; 1)

  • 22/06/2019 Australia 1-4 Norway (PSO) (round of 16)
  • 12/08/2023 Australia 7-6 France (PSO) (quarter-finals)

England team facts

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS

  • Overall record: Played: 31,Won: 19,  Drawn: 5,  Lost: 7, Goals For: 53, Goals Against: 32, Goal Difference: 21
  • Biggest win: 6-1England v. Argentina (17/09/2007)/6-1 England v. China PR (01/08/2023)
  • Biggest defeat: 0-3 England v. Germany (13/06/1995)/0-3 England v. USA (22/09/2007)
  • Highest scoring match: 7 goals – England 6-1 Argentina (17/09/2007)/England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
  • Most goals scored in a match: 6 – England 6-1 Argentina (17/09/2007)/England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
  • Most goals conceded in a match: 3 – England 0-3 Germany (13/06/1995)/England 0-3 USA (22/09/2007)
  • Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 13 – 2019 (7 matches)
  • Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 6 – 1995 and 2011 (4 matches)
  • Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 9 – 1995 (4 matches)
  • Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2023 (5 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

  • Successive wins: 6 (2015-2019)
  • Successive defeats: 2 (2019)
  • Successive draws: 2 (2007)
  • Successive matches without a defeat: 6 (2015-2019)
  • Successive matches without a win: 3 (1995-2007)
  • Successive matches with a goal scored: 16 (2015-2023)
  • Successive matches without scoring: 1 (six times, the last of which was 2023-present)
  • Successive clean sheets: 4 (2019)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP EXTRA-TIME MATCHES

  • 09/07/2011 England 1-1 France (3-4 PSO) (quarter-finals)
  • 04/07/2015 England 1-0 Germany (match for third place)
  • 07/08/2023 England 0-0 Nigeria (4-2 PSO) (round of 16)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS (Won: 1, Lost 1)

  • 09/07/2011 England 3-4 France (PSO) (quarter-finals)
  • 07/08/2023 England 4-2 Nigeria (PSO) (round of 16)

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Nigeria rolls out its army for U17 -Women’s World Cup

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Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has listed Captain Taiwo Afolabi and forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong in his 21-woman Flamingos’ roster for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic.

The clinical Chidi scored 13 of the team’s record-setting 25 goals in the qualifying series, as the bronze medallists from the last edition of the championship in India barnstormed their way past Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Liberia in the continental campaign.

Petite midfielder Afolabi will lead the midfield, alongside Faridat Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood and Ayomide Rotimi, while first-choice goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma will have Sylvia Echefu and Elizabeth Boniface pushing her to her best all the time.

Taiwo Adegoke leads six other defenders, with Harmony Chidi leading six other forwards including Peace Effiong.

Nigeria will compete in Group A of the 16-nation finals alongside host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador and New Zealand.

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The delegation of Flamingos will depart the shores of Nigeria aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on Tuesday, 1st October for a two-week training tour in Santo Domingo, capital city of the Dominican Republic, ahead of the commencement of the tournament.

FLAMINGOS FOR FIFA U17 WORLD CUP DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2024

Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens); Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens)

Defenders: Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy); Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens); Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels)

Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy)

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Forwards: Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot); Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers); Aishat Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens)

FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024   

Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria

Group B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia

Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England

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Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Justin Madugu takes over from Waldrum as Super Falcons coach

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Justin Madugu as a temporary successor to America’s Randy Waldrum, who has stepped down. 

The NFF announced that its decision was based on the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee.  Coach Justin Madugu will lead the remaining technical crew and take charge of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, pending the appointment of a substantive Head Coach.

The Super Falcons’ next big engagement is the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals, taking place in Morocco in the summer of next year.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Falconets crash out from U-20 Women’s World Cup

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Japan survived a late scare against Nigeria to set up a re-match of the 2022 final with Spain in Sunday’s quarter-finals.

In rainy Bogota, Miyu Matsunaga’s free header just after the half hour was enough to send Japan to the break with a lead, as they have done at every match at Colombia 2024.

Maya Hijikata then doubled the advantage midway through the second term, tucking home a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai at the back post; that goal taking her joint-top of the adidas Golden Boot race with Brazil’s Vendito.

Olushola Shobowale did manage to pull one back for Nigeria in stoppage time but they couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win and set up that epic quarter-final clash with Spain. It is a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.  

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