THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015 SPORTS Preview Nigeria seek to step up after years as also-rans WELLINGTON: Nigeria have been Africa’s com- manding team in women’s soccer, ever present at every Women’s World Cup, and are finally hoping to step up and join the list of the tournament’s top contenders. The Super Falcons kept up an obligatory African presence at the last six World Cups but made little headway, demonstrating the gulf between their game and the more developed standard of women’s football in Europe and North America. But in recent years the gap has narrowed and after Nigeria finished runner-up in last year’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup, there are now hopes Nigeria could be a realistic challenger. “Our desire is to be counted at the World Cup and we won’t leave any stone unturned to ensure we achieve the target,” coach Edwin Okon said in a recent Nigeria press interview ahead of the June 6-July 5 Women’s World Cup in Canada. The target is at least a place in the last eight, emulat- ing Nigeria’s best ever achievement at a Women’s World Cup when they got to the quarter-finals in 1999. Key to Nigeria’s hopes will be a positive result in their opening game in Group D against Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday. They also play Australia and the United States in a tough draw. Okon has put heavy emphasis on fitness ahead of the tournament and there has been a lengthy preparatory camp. African Women’s Roger Reijners Footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala leads their squad, having made a recent move to join Dutch pioneers finally at Liverpool’s ladies team and in the process become the first African in England’s Women’s Super League. Women’s WCup party She is an exciting forward who was voted the best player at last year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup, also played in Canada, after a tournament- CANADA: Netherlands were among the Olympics. record seven goals. countries at the forefront of the establish- “It will be difficult but that is the goal,” The Nigerian captain is Evelyn Nwabuoko and ment of the women’s game in Europe but Reijners told reporters. “It could turn out 12 of the players are foreign-based, a major fac- only now are they set to make their debut that reaching the quarter-finals might be tor in the improvement of Nigeria’s performanc- at the Women’s World Cup. enough to qualify for Rio because there es. “As African champions I want you to go to the They played in the first women’s interna- might just be two other European teams World Cup this time with a clear determination tional recognised by FIFA in 1971, but have left then. to do better than any of your predecessors have lagged behind in subsequent decades only “It has been our goal all along to keep ever done,” Nigerian Football Federation presi- to now eventually get to play on the qualifying for the big tournaments.” The dent Amaju Pinnick told the team before they biggest stage in the game. Dutch take to Canada arguably one of the left for Canada two weeks ago. “We believe you Having squandered a chance to win their potential stars of the women’s game in Edwin Okon can.” —Reuters qualifying group after giving up a late goal teenage striker Vivianne Miedema. in their last game, the Dutch had to come The 18-year-old, who plays in the through the European playoffs, upsetting Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, scored 16 Italy to book a spot in the June 6-July 5 goals in the qualifiers, including the deci- Women’s World Cup in Canada. sive away goal in Italy that ensured the US looking to break through They have ambitions of keeping up their Dutch passage. The team are, however, form in Group A where they will meet sweating on her fitness after she suffered a Canada, China and New Zealand - all sea- foot injury in training. Eight of the other CANADA: The United States have their eyes Rampone will be playing in her fifth World through this and feel truly confident and excit- soned World Cup campaigners. squad players are playing at clubs outside firmly set on a third Women’s World Cup title, Cup, while Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach ed about the group we have.” Coach Roger Reijners has set the goal of of the Netherlands, whose own women’s and with a squad loaded with experience the will be making their fourth finals appearances. While there is solidity at the back with Solo finishing among the top three European football league is combined with that of Olympic champions are rightly among the Goalkeeper Hope Solo and midfielders Carli long regarded as the world’s top keeper and teams as the team’s target, as that will neighbouring Belgium in a new profession- favorites to triumph in Canada. Lloyd and Heather O’Reilly enter their third the back-line full of experience, it is in the ensure they qualify for the 2016 Rio al structure. —Reuters The United States have dominated at the World Cup but the squad also has some excit- attack where the team’s strengths lay. Olympic Games, winning four of the five gold ing younger talent, with eight players set for Morgan has pace and skill, Leroux brings medals that have been contested, but that their first tournament. directness and energy and Wambach, with 182 success has not been replicated in the World Coach Jill Ellis believes she has the right mix goals in 241 international appearances, is a Ecuador eyes Cup since 1999 when they won their second of youth and experience and knows that the natural finisher. title. Four years ago, the Americans were high- physical demands of competing during a “We are so diverse in attack, they all have ly fancied to triumph in Germany but fell at Canadian summer means she may well need tremendous assets and experience and we are first World Cup the final hurdle, suffering a 3-1 defeat on to call on most of her 23 women. “We’re going really stacked at that position,” said Ellis. “We penalties to Japan after the game ended 2-2 to need a lot of bodies up there in Canada, out have proven goal scorers, great options and it after extra-time. in the heat, and over the past six or seven is certainly one of our strengths.” The United CANADA: Ecuador will bring a burst of are strong tactically, said Arauz. “Thankfully, freshness to Canada next month with a 26- we have all three styles too,” added Arauz, The bulk of that team is back again forming months, we’ve been able to play a lot of play- States are the favourites but have a tough year-old coach leading the small Andean who says she is the youngest coach in a a squad that boasts an impressive amount of ers and give a lot players experience,” said Ellis. group with Sweden, Australia and Nigeria all country at its maiden Women’s World Cup. FIFA World Cup and according to world soc- World Cup experience. Defender Christie “I truly feel that we’ve vetted these players ranked in the top 10 in the world. —Reuters The canary yellow “Tri,” 48th in the FIFA cer’s governing body was the first woman world ranking, qualified by the skin of their to graduate as a football coach in Ecuador. necks after star striker Monica Quinteros Still, despite Arauz’s gusto, an upset will be scored an eleventh hour goal against tricky against Japan, ranked 4th, and Trinidad and Tobago in the playoffs. Switzerland, ranked 19th, though “The players have evolved positively since, Cameroon, ranked 53rd, present a more I think we’re going to show a much fresher, feasible challenge. faster team at the World Cup,” said coach “We’re working towards going past the Vanessa Arauz in a recent interview with local eights (last 16) and maybe even bringing sports news outlet Mas Deportes. Ecuador, the World Cup here, it’s not impossible,” improving as part of a boom of women play- Arauz said. Ecuador open their campaign ing soccer in football-crazy South America, in Vancouver against Cameroon on June 8, will face off against Cameroon, Japan and then face Switzerland in the same city on Switzerland in Group C. June 12 before playing Japan in Winnipeg Cameroon boast quick players and on June 16. The final is in Vancouver on Switzerland a well-oiled team, while Japan July 5. —Reuters Swedes need attack to fire at World Cup STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s hugely success- Brazil, but also to outsiders Switzerland ful qualification campaign should put and drawing with a Danish side that them among the favorites for the failed to qualify. Women’s World Cup in Canada, but ques- Some players have also expressed dis- tions remain as to whether they can satisfaction with Sundhage’s leadership, deliver on the biggest stage. which departs somewhat from Sweden’s Ranked fifth in the world with 10 consensus society and introduces a more straight wins and an average of over hierarchical structure to the squad. three goals per game in qualifying might Whatever about her management style, look impressive, but Sweden scored the Sundhage is a proven winner as a coach, NEW YORK: United States goalkeeper Hope Solo (left) and midfielder Megan Rapinoe (right) listen during the US women’s nation- fewest goals of any group winner and delivering two Olympic gold medals for al team World Cup media day in this file photo.