Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby has said his team will go all out in their first two matches of the Women’s World Cup with the hope of getting the results to get them past the first round before clashing with hosts France in a final group game.
The nine-time African champions open their World Cup campaign tonight from 8pm Nigerian time at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims against Norway after hosts France dismantled Korea 4-0 in Friday’s opening game.
“Our chances of getting out of the group are not so high,” the experienced Swedish coach admitted.
“But we hope to start the tournament well (vs Norway and Korea), so that by the time we play the last group game against France, which will be a wonderful game and is already sold-out, we would be relaxed because we have the results to take us through.”
Dennerby guided Sweden to third place at the 2011 World Cup.
Both Nigeria, who will now be captained by Desire Oparanzie, and Norway have been ever-present at all the World Cups.
The Falcons have played a total of 22 matches, but have only won three of these games, while the Norwegians have been involved in 35 matches.
Norway were world champions in 1995 and after enjoying a superb qualifying campaign to reach this tournament, they will hope to get off to a great start tonight against the Falcons.
Their confidence has been further boosted by a 7-2 spanking they handed out to Falcons latest African rivals South Africa in a friendly this month.
