Wiegman: England Expects Another Tough Test From Nigeria

Wiegman: England Expects Another Tough Test From Nigeria

Ibrahim Lateef

England head coach Sarina Wiegman says that there are no easy games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023, as she expects a tough test from the Super Falcons, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The Lionesses will face Nigeria in their round of 16 tie in Brisbane on Monday morning. Nigeria caused an upset in qualifying from their group and they are yet to taste defeat at this summer’s tournament.

In the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, England and Nigeria are separated by 36 places, however, Lionesses boss Wiegman expects nothing other than another very difficult game.

“What we’ve seen in this tournament is that nothing is easy,” Wiegman said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “The growth of the game has been shown in this tournament. We haven’t had any easy games at all and we don’t expect an easy game tomorrow, it’s going to be very competitive and we will have to be at our best.”

Going on to discuss Nigeria’s qualities, Wiegman said that she expects to come up against another athletic team who could try to hit England with quick counter attacks.

She said “I think Nigeria have done really well in this tournament. They were in a hard group and we all saw that they did very well in that group.

“They’re a very athletic team, quick and transitional but they also want to play. We are aware of their strengths but we will try to exploit their weaknesses.”

Wiegman opted to go with a back-three as England defeated China 6-1 in their final group match but she is remaining tight-lipped when it comes to her game plan for Nigeria.

“We have two options now; the way we played (against Haiti and Denmark) and what we played against China,” Wiegman said. “We have taken it into consideration and you will see tomorrow what we do.”