Goals in either half from Kyah Simon lifted Australia to a 2-0 win over African champions Nigeria in their second Group D match at the Women’s World Cup on Friday.
The 23-year-old Sydney FC striker, making her comeback from a career-threatening knee injury, found the net after 29 and 68 minutes at Winnipeg Stadium to give the team their first win of the competition in Canada after their 3-1 opening loss to the United States on Monday.
The game finished in confusion when French referee Stephanie Frappart blew the whistle after less than a minute of extra time while the board indicated there would be four, to the disbelief of players, coaches and fans.
“A couple of minutes can make a difference to a side,” complained Nigeria coach Edwin Okon whose Super Falcons failed to reproduce the style they showed in their stunning comeback from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Sweden in their opener.
“We’re not happy with the officiating, but the referee is in charge of the game,” he added.
Australia now have three points after two games with Nigeria on one.
“It was a tough battle out there in the heat,” said Australia coach Alen Stajcic. “We were the most clinical side and those couple of key moments won us the game.”
Australia move to Edmonton for their final group game against Sweden, and Stajcic said: “There’s still a lot to be played in this group. Doing the maths we can still finish top of the group if the USA drop some points, we can still finish second, third or fourth if Nigeria beat USA.
“Anything can happen when you play Nigeria, they are such spirited, positive footballers.
“Everything is up for grabs still.”
Stajcic said he was proud of the resilience his side showed after their defeat to former two-time winners USA.
“We were fairly bruised and battered after the American game,” he admitted.
“Laura Alleway was on crutches for two days and Lisa De Vanna for three and for them to come out today and play 90 minutes was fantastic.”
Stajcic said that apart from forward Sam Kerr, who was undergoing tests for a possible broken jaw following an elbow from Nigerian defender Ugo Njoku, all the team were in good fettle for Sweden.
“Our fitness was good until the end of the game. Rest and recovery is important. We’ve had four months to prepare, I’ll only tinker with the details now.”
Nigeria’s final group game will be against the former two-time winners US.
Desire Oparanozie had looked dangerous for Nigeria up front early on but her 19th-minute effort was off target.
But the breakthrough came when Australia captain De Vanna made a driving run through the opposition’s defence after half an hour to set up Simon who sent the ball over Precious Dede in goal.
A rattled Nigeria could have fallen further behind shortly after, but a Simon shot was blocked and De Vanna’s volley off the rebound fired just wide.
Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams did well to block Oparanozie with a great sliding challenge at the edge of the box as Nigeria pushed forward.
Ngozi Okobi attempted a long-range volley to the delight of the fans but her effort flew high.
The Matildas doubled their lead when Simon picked up a Kerr cross, with Alleway denied their third by the crossbar in the final minutes.
The United States, among the tournament favourites, meanwhile were held to a goalless draw by Sweden on as all remains to play for in Group D.
The Americans, who started with captain Abby Wambach on the bench, were given a tough test by the Swedes.
Wambach came on after 67 minutes, providing a lift for the Americans who played in front of thousands of fans who travelled the short distance over the border to Canada to support the 1991 and 1999 champions.
“I felt like we needed pace and mobility up top and Abby is comfortable and confident in any role,” said USA coach Jill Ellis.
“In terms of just her leadership and her influences on our setpieces both sides of the ball she is a huge asset late in the game.”
Tension was running high for the first half hour with Sydney Leroux having the first real chance when she rose highest to latch onto a Morgan Brien cross into the box but was unable to finish off.
Carli Lloyd came close three minutes after the break but Hedvig Lindahl held firm, one of several fine saves which saw the Swedish goalkeeper voted player of the match.
Sweden came close to breaking the deadlock only for Meghan Klingenberg to clear Caroline Seger’s shot off the underside of the crossbar, with goal-line technology confirming.
The Americans continued to press forward but were unable to find a winner with a late Wambach header saved by Lindahl.
“We’re still in the driver’s seat and still have the chance to finish top, our focus now will be on Nigeria,” said Ellis.
“(Sweden) are big, strong and made space very limited for us. Did I expect that? No,” she admitted after sharing the points.
Sweden coach Pia Sundhage said her side were finding their momentum after being held in their opener by Nigeria.
“It was a tight game, after this 90 minutes we’ve gained some confidence,” said former US coach Sundhage.
“The opening game is a hard game, I don’t think we came up to our level.
“Today it was better, especially dealing with our defending and being tactically smart against one of the best teams in the world.
“Today we saw a battle and a tactical game.”
She continued: “If you look back at history Sweden has not played good in the first game and little by little we get better.
“The fact that we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world is an advantage and she showed that today.”
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