2019 WWC: Nigeria Coach, Captain List The Best Qualities Of Oshoala Ahead Of Opener Vs Norway
Published: June 07, 2019
Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby and captain Desire Oparanozie attended the mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of their World Cup opener against Norway at the Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims on Saturday evening.
The Swedish football tactician and striker were full of praise for Oshoala and they are convinced that the Barcelona star will have a great tournament because of her qualities.
''Oshoala, you already know her progress in women football. She has been a phenomenal player, she is a fantastic player,'' Oparanozie said.
''When you have her talent in any team, it boosts the team, with her strength, her drive for success and everything.
''Having her in the team is a plus and with her and the rest of the team. It is not just her but with the help of her teammates and every other person. It is a plus for any team with her qualities in the team.''
Dennerby added : ''She has the strength by her own to create a good scoring chance out of nothing.
''She is probably one of the fastest players you'll see in this tournament and also good she had a good season, she scored a lot of goals for her club and us. She is in a good shape now.''
Oshoala has scored in the World Cup before, on her tournament debut against Sweden in June 2015.

Schemerkhiz:
2019 WWC: Nigeria Coach, Captain List The Best Qualities Of Oshoala Ahead Of Opener Vs Norway
Published: June 07, 2019
Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby and captain Desire Oparanozie attended the mandatory pre-match press conference ahead of their World Cup opener against Norway at the Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims on Saturday evening.
The Swedish football tactician and striker were full of praise for Oshoala and they are convinced that the Barcelona star will have a great tournament because of her qualities.
''Oshoala, you already know her progress in women football. She has been a phenomenal player, she is a fantastic player,'' Oparanozie said.
''When you have her talent in any team, it boosts the team, with her strength, her drive for success and everything.
''Having her in the team is a plus and with her and the rest of the team. It is not just her but with the help of her teammates and every other person. It is a plus for any team with her qualities in the team.''
Dennerby added : ''She has the strength by her own to create a good scoring chance out of nothing.
''She is probably one of the fastest players you'll see in this tournament and also good she had a good season, she scored a lot of goals for her club and us. She is in a good shape now.''
Oshoala has scored in the World Cup before, on her tournament debut against Sweden in June 2015.

She is our Messi. A special talent more special than ever before.

Press conference prematch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjpgTNlem4

Have you guys seen the advert in YouTube involving super falcons and the Netherlands women? Nice

So the Ada babe from Norway is not playing at the world cup after all?

BascoVanVeli:
So the Ada babe from Norway is not playing at the world cup after all?

Yesooo

following....

France 2-0. Korean defence all over the place. I now fancy our chances against them. We should beat them. VAR says no. back to 1-0.

Korea playing a solid 4-4-2 but they are being overrun in midfield. Our 3-5-2 will either contain them or expose our backline.

The France are playing 1-2 and wide from their wings and a lot of cut backs passes.

2nd goal!!! Like someone said earlier SET PIECES. I am now extremely scared for our girls. Looks like they are getting even better at taking this set pieces.

Since when did Virgil van Dijk have a French passport?

3-0 at half time. 2 goals from set pieces as expected. Teams with poor defensive organisations will be exposed at set pieces.

Renard and her height... You have to make sure she does not get comfortable enough to jump properly or to get into position.

BascoVanVeli:
So the Ada babe from Norway is not playing at the world cup after all?

Yes o!!! That babe wey be cheat

The VAR ruling out that French goal for offside was quite farcical. This is one of the reasons why I believe the office rule should, at best, be modified.

I’d suggest offside should be awarded when the attacking player has one or both feet completely ahead of the 2nd to last player of the defending team.

BascoVanVeli:



Onome Ebi is the older player and she also is the better player. Bench Chikwelu and give the legend her band simple as that. First African player to play 5 world cup and not the captain?

If not give Oshoala the band so they can all rest.

I am surprised she is still playing at the world cup level. In an intelligent society, Onome Ebi should not make the team.

olapluto:

It's all about team discipline. Set piece is the time the whole team should be on same page. As Africans we know we like flare and are undisciplined. Even Cameroon played so well in their friendly with Spain but every set piece was a mess. Either keeper comes out too early and misses, or players lose concentration and don't track their opponents.
I think zonal marking will be easier for Africans as the don't have to worry about tracking players. All they need is to control the some the coach puts them.
If we don't concede from our first set piece tomorrow I'll be really happy.

It is all about stream of thought or thought process. In any case, Africans are very deficient on any score. Most of the present breed of African players are more concerned with pleasing the scouts than adopting the fundamentals of soccer. Recently, they have missed both ends of the stick.

BascoVanVeli:



Another big factor is that our players are just not tall enough. They play against giants sometimes and it is almost impossible. We are also reluctant to head the ball at the highest point. Lastly our attackers should do more and see defending set pieces as part of their job. Oshoala needs to mark players on corners and also Desire.

What would you say about players from Asia? Yet they have won big on world stage. Most Africans do not think either constructively or collectively period.

Dedetwo:


I am surprised she is still playing at the world cup level. In an intelligent society, Onome Ebi should not make the team.

Onome Ebi should not make which team?
A player even at 36yrs keep getting better and better.

France 2019: Falcons’ Oluehi Talks Tough Ahead Clash With Norway

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will begin their2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup adventuretoday (Saturday) when they take on their Norwegian counterparts in the French City of Reims.

The team’s first choice goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi has highlighted the teams strength going into the tournament and added that African Champions are ready to fly the flag of father’s land very high.


Speaking on why the Super Falcons will be difficult to beat in the tournament, Oluehi said, Head Coach Thomas Dennerby has tweak the team’s set up, meaning that the team can adapt to different formations which can caught the oppositions off guard.

“for me its the formation before now  everyonebelieve or aware that our formation is 4-4-2, but now its 3-5-2 more so the aggressiveness of the players.“ She started.

The super falcons are in Group A with host country France , Norway and Korea Republic, Oluehi admits its a difficult Group, but believes the Falcons are ready to slug it out with the teams.

“Yes the group is a difficult one but there is no team that is not beatable “,

 

“For me yes Super Falcons are very ready tosurprise the world by qualifying to the nextstage of the tournament because the level of hard work and good preparation for us ibelieve will sure  see us going to the nextround.“

The 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations champion, however assured Nigerians that the Super Falcons will make the Country proud against the Norwegians tonight.

“Yes a lot of Nigerians are waiting for thematch, we are  promising  them that we are going out there to give our best and make Nigerians proud and also we need their prayers and support.“ She said.

Dedetwo:


I am surprised she is still playing at the world cup level. In an intelligent society, Onome Ebi should not make the team.

Actually this is exactly what an intelligent society does because she's the best.

Dedetwo:


What would you say about players from Asia? Yet they have won big on world stage. Most Africans do not think either constructively or collectively period.

Japan has won at the biggest stage but they have big players too. Look at Korea yesterday organization can only take you so far. At the end of the day it's who can reach the ball at the highest point.

Dedetwo:


I am surprised she is still playing at the world cup level. In an intelligent society, Onome Ebi should not make the team.

How old is sh

Dedetwo:


I am surprised she is still playing at the world cup level. In an intelligent society, Onome Ebi should not make the team.

How old is she?

Who else is optimistic about the match today? If by a stroke of luck we win Norway, it will be a dream come true

Mizwisdom:



How old is she?

Who else is optimistic about the match today? If by a stroke of luck we win Norway, it will be a dream come true

It doesn't have to be luck. We have the quality to hurt them.

what time is our match pls

Home  Match Analysis  Tactical Preview
Match Analysis Tactical Preview
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 Tactical Preview: Norway vs Nigeria
BY RYAN MCCREADY x JUNE 8, 2019  0
Previous article
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE 2018/2019 TACTICAL ANALYSIS: NETHERLANDS VS ENGLAND The second game of Group A features Norway, potentially the competition’s dark horses, versus Nigeria, who will be trying to put together a good run past the group stages. Norway’s 7-2 thrashing of South Africa simulated a supposed dress-rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s game for the Scandinavians.
Nigeria, contrastingly, used their final friendly before the tournament kicked-off to give some last minute experience to their side. Both Asisat Oshoala and Rasheedat Ajibade, whom Total Football Analysis identified as their key players, made appearances. Although, for the latter, only briefly.
In this tactical analysis preview, we shall discuss what you should expect to see from each side as they try to capitalize on the others’ weaknesses. Both sides are smart and the game has all of the foundations to produce a pure ‘slobberknocker’. Although with one side much stronger than the other, it could also be a highly uneven contest.
Both sides will look to exploit the flanks through congesting the centre. Norway will hope to manage an aggressive press from Nigeria’s battering and swaggering forward line. In turn, the Super Falcons will need to move past a defensive block designed to frustrate their own usual attritional defensiveness.
Line-ups
Against South Africa, Norway opted to line up in a 4-4-2. The similarities between the two African sides means that we should anticipate this formational trend to be repeated. Furthermore, this tactic has long been the Norwegian’s favoured shape.
There has been some consternation amongst fans that this formation does not get the best out of players such as Isabell Herlovsen and Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland up front. Similarly, attacking midfielder, Guro Reiten, will almost inevitably be pushed out wide to accommodate Vilde Bøe Risa and Ingrid Engen in the centre of midfield.
The strength of their recent performance and the flexibility the shape enables, however, add extra weight behind the argument for Martin Sjögren keeping this formation. On the other hand, this does not mean that Norway will insist on a flat structure. The Swedish coach prefers both of his wingers to move inside, allowing space for the full-back to advance into. They often attack in a 4-2-2-2.
Created using sharemytactics.com.
Nigeria, on the other hand, have many potential aces up their sleeves. Thomas Dennerby, Sjögren’s Swedish compatriot, has a recent track record of mixing up his formations. Whilst his Nigeria side opted for their expected 4-2-3-1 against Canada, in their previous six games , they’ve used five different starting formations .
Naturally, it would be wrong to make an assumption on Nigeria’s chosen shape. However, in terms of what seems likely, we do have some way of making a logical guess. Dennerby appears to have moved away from the three at the back style which categorized much of his thinking previously. Indeed, he’s not used this as an option this year.
With four at the back, it looks likely that two in midfield will be used to buttress the middle of the park, which is usually seen as Nigeria’s main defensive stronghold. In attack, they’ll look to exploit width to allow crosses and darting runs behind from the forwards. It looks like they’ll line up in a 4-2-3-1.
Created using sharemytactics.com.
Nigeria pressing Norway’s possession
Whilst Norway are flexible in attack, what has seemed obvious in their more recent games is how they like to keep the ball when starting attacks from the goalkeeper. Yet, short passing and ball retention maybe near impossible when faced up against Nigeria’s consistently aggressive high-pressing. Physicality and sensible, gradual positioning up front, are the Nigerian’s preferred methods of winning the ball.
As China move the ball to the left, we can see the Nigerian’s retreating and preparing ‘shields’.
In the middle, the Nigerians have picked up Chinese options. They have also created ‘shields’ to condense either side of the midfield. The Chinese can only pass back-and-forth.
As the ball goes backwards, the Nigerian’s press even harder. The Chinese full-back is now funnelled into a narrow corner.
A common theme throughout Norway’s pre-
World Cup has been their usage of their central midfield pairing of Bøe Risa and Engen. Both midfielders seek to lay claim to the ball deep and look to play out from the back. Yet, with Nigeria’s press so determined to box them in, their roles will inevitably alter.
As it seems less likely that Norway will be able to play centrally through the middle, due to Nigeria’s pack-hunting, we should expect to see the duo peel wider. They may potentially displace the full backs, allowing greater transition for Norway’s attacks. By doing so, overloads on the wings should become a certainty, as the full-back will have adequate defensive cover.
Conversely, we could see Norway turn to very direct football. This may not help out maintaining possession in the middle of the pitch, however, it would help negate the block of advancing Nigerians. Unfortunately for Norway, this style of play doesn’t necessarily suit them. They often look markedly weak when trying to knock the ball longer.
Norway utilising width
With a need to move the ball quickly to evade Nigeria’s combative front line, Norway will need to try and move the ball to the underserviced wide areas. A tactical analysis shows us that Nigeria will be hoping to do this, as this is where their press usually strategically targets. Their full-backs, Osinachi Ohale and Ngozi Ebere, who both play domestically in Scandinavia, will push on to try and win the ball from midfielders with no room to turn.
In order to combat this, we should expect to see Norway pull even wider in attack, this is likewise something which Nigeria will encourage, as Norway’s attacking wide players often tuck-in to support the strikers.
By having Graham Hansen and Reiten pull wide to win the ball in areas away from the compact midfield, Norway’s full-backs will look to make inverted runs through the middle of the pitch. Nigeria’s sophisticated holding-pairing of Rita Chikwelu and Halimatu Ayinde will try to clog these areas. Despite this, they will struggle to balance following their runners and keeping defensive integrity.
Furthermore, we should expect to see the Norwegian forwards, particularly Hervlosen, moving out into wide areas. This will serve two purposes. The first will be to exploit the gap which will surely emerge behind the Nigerian full backs, who will be preoccupied squeezing into the back of the wingers.
Herlovsen’s heat map shows that she is no stranger from moving out to the right-wing. Courtesy of [Wyscout].
Secondly, however, this will also open space in the middle of the pitch so that the wide players and the wing-backs will be able to move into the open spaces through the centre. This may limit the forwards’ chances, but it could still enable a bounty of crosses into the area. Norway will aim to merely sidestep the fortified midfield area and reach normality in the final third. Crossing from the byline is almost second nature to them, even if it is the strikers plopping the balls in.
Nigeria stretching the Norway backline
It would be foolish to assume that Norway will have this game sewn up. Nigeria will attack with regularity and ferocity. Furthermore, whilst they possess a multitude of possible options in attack, it seems like it should be a certainty that they’ll hope to stretch Norway’s backline from touchline to touchline.
There are two reasons why Nigeria will seek to divide and conquer their opponents in such a way. Firstly, this suits the Nigerian’s preferred style of attack. The four women in attack are exceptional at pumping balls into the area. Their universality in the final third is benefitted by their interchanging of positions.
The below graphics, taken from a match against Burkina Faso, show how Nigeria have an almost cavalier attitude to providing width. Likewise, they also bolster numbers by interchanging positions out wide.
The Nigerian’s keep width across the pitch, even when possessing the ball at half-way in their opponents half.
The ball is played inside, and now the space is clearly visible for the Nigerian’s on either wing.
The ball is switched to the right-back, who still has the winger in acres of space.
Nigeria commit forwards in numbers. The right-back decides to play inside first-time, before darting forwards. Imo, the left winger, has withdrawn into a very subdued position to offer cover.
The second reason, however, rests on Norway’s own deliberate attempts to push and commit women forward from the full-back areas. This further cements the viewpoint that Norway will have to leave the central midfield pairing deeper and wider to offer cover. That is unless they are to compromise on their own attacking flair down the wings. Nigeria would struggle to shake off the ultra-defensive mindset of Bøe Risa and Engen. They’ll both retreat to deal with this threat.
Nigeria should experience some modicum of success if they look to work the ball into the channels. Norway’s central defensive column are highly successful in the air. This leads us to think that high crosses into the area will become a rarity in favour of well-timed runs from behind. Indeed, speed is where Norway’s ageing backline falter, and this was best seen against Denmark recently. The key for Nigeria to create these spaces is to first offer width, however.
Norway drop to a 4-2-3-1 defensive shape
Whilst there are a lot of bold predictions in this analysis, it seems fair to suggest that Norway will be forced to revert to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1 when defending. This will match up to Nigeria’s attacking thrust, and the Gresshoppene will fancy themselves one-on-one.
Whilst this will allow their players to adapt to one-to-one marking, it will also enable the two centre midfielders to drop deeper. This will exploit the excellent defensive positioning of Engen in particular, who will hope to obstruct passing lanes.
Similar to their defensive organization, Norway would be wise to restrain themselves when defending. Whilst the Norwegians often look to see passes to the opposition full-backs as pressing triggers, they may decide to allow the full-backs space with the ball.
The reason for this is that Nigeria do not feel comfortable in possession. They mostly set up to pump balls directly forwards – if Norway can ensure that the key targets are pre-occupied with their markers, and they outnumber the opposition in their own half, Nigeria will struggle to advance. The below graphics show how Norway may disassemble an attack if the ball were to turn over to Onome Ebi and Ngozi Ebere, deep in Nigeria’s half:
Norway have committed players to chase the ball. Let’s assume the ball has settled at the back, however. Sharemytactics.com.
Norway drop. Engen and Mjelde both have Oshoala marked. Graham Hansen sits in front of Ihezuo. Herlovsen covers the outlets into the center midfielders. Sharemytactics.com.
Karlseng-Utland has fully dropped into a holding role. Engen sits ahead of the back line. Nigeria now have women behind the ball, and limited options unmarked forwards.
The five in midfield will go some way to limit the movement and possibilities of obtaining the ball in the centre. This does not mean that Norway will enable the full-backs to run through and pierce through their lines, however. Norway can maintain their press, but perhaps simply drop off to a mid-block, before committing to surrounding the Nigerian full backs.
Conclusion
This tactical preview may read as one-sided in favour of Norway, but it’s largely because one can’t see past them winning this game. They will offer the greatest tactical intrigue. Norway’s central pairing will need to be flexible in their positioning – eager to fill gaps and cover the full backs. The side should have enough to defend successfully. This could be a game won by the midfielders but in much wider positions.
Nigeria’s best hopes of winning the game rest on pressing the Norwegian’s high. They’ll need to either win the ball or force a turn over with regularity, something which is far from impossible, but something Martin Sjögren should have his team prepared for. If they can breach a retrained Norwegian block, however, they’ll look to drag their opponents out of position. The sweet-spot for their attacks will be the half spaces between the full-backs and central cover.
Norway’s ability to adapt should be enough to overcome the Nigerians. They prefer a high-press, but they are also comfortable without one. They could allow their opponents to have the ball, encouraging them to lose it in dangerous areas. One-to-one, the Norwegian’s are stronger, and when they attack, we should see the individual merits of their wingers and dynamic full backs, make all the difference.

Coming to think of it Desire Oparanozie was the first player to publicly condemn the NFF for the team not playing games in a year. That shows she is a true leader not just on the team but in life

I don't fear any team in our group. I think 2015 was a much harder group. We have a solid team that can become great if things go for them. My only fear is the coach. What lineup and tactic will he go out there with?

BascoVanVeli:
Coming to think of it Desire Oparanozie was the first player to publicly condemn the NFF for the team not playing games in a year. That shows she is a true leader not just on the team but in life

wow... nice observation sir

BascoVanVeli:
Coming to think of it Desire Oparanozie was the first player to publicly condemn the NFF for the team not playing games in a year. That shows she is a true leader not just on the team but in life

The bulk of the team is the group of 2010-2012 Falconets. These are
Ngozi ebere
Alaba Jonathan
Ngozi Sonia Okobi
Francesca Ordega
Oshoala
Amarachi Okoronkwo
Osinachi Ohale
Halimatu Ayinde,

Oparanozie was the main star then and the leading scorer.

Note: Oshoala, Ordega, Okobi, Ayinde, joined in 2012, But Oparanozie also played in 2012 just as Uche Kanu was an unused sub in 2014 where the likes of Ihezuo and Oshoala played.

It makes sense that Oparanozie should be chosen probably she has more influence on the other players than any other.

Today's match will be won or lost by collective team play. I am almost certain that we havent learnt much from defending set pieces, and if the Norwageans do not find a way in open play, they will hurt us at set pieces. Sommething tells me Oluehi will fumble a cross or something.

Up front, we have standard strikers, and the only problem is how Okobi (or Ajibade) locates them. Overall, it should be an intriguing match, and Norway will be surprised by the way we play. Also, I think Dennerby might be surprised that the girls will throw his tactics at him if we're losing and need to attack. Dennerby will ordinarily set us up to be on the backfoot and use counter attack. This is Oshoala's strength, but Nigerians dont like to sit back. Lets see how far our discipline has come.
I'm not a betting person, but I am almost certain Norway will score from a set piece.