Super Falcons head coach Thomas Dennerby is confident his side will produce a good performance in today’s 2019 Women’s World Cup Group A clash against hosts France at the Roazhon Park, Rennes, reports Completesports.com.
The African champions bounced back from their 3-0 opening day defeat to Norway with a 2-0 win over Korea Korea in Grenoble last Wednesday.
Falcons will need to avoid defeat in today’s game to be sure of a place in the second round.
France thrashed Nigeria 8-0 the last time both countries met in a friendly match over a year ago.
“I hope that you will see a different Nigeria team from that [8-0] game which was our first for about one and a half years,” Dennerby told a press conference on Sunday.
“It was the first time we met players and the new coaches and so on. We promise that we will at least fight so much harder and be better organized than we were in that game.
“We always show respect to the team we play and we will definitely do that with France. I think all teams have a good picture of the others and maybe if you can find some weakness they know about us and we know about them as well. So I guess, it’s more about who is fulfilling the plan in the best way and which team has the best day.”
Dennerby added: “I think we will have a good chance. I think we need to believe you that we can’t feel that we can do it because you can’t go into any game and have that feeling. So, we really have to have a really strong belief.
“I will not say that we don’t feel that we are under some kind of pressure at all. I think it’s a good opportunity that we have a chance to do something that we have not done for 20 years.
“So, that is just a good feeling and I hope we can bring that good feeling to the field so the girls feel really relaxed but also concentrated.
“I think if we can have both parts relaxed when we have the ball and the tough play when they defend, I think we have a good opportunity so it’s a successful game.”
By Adeboye Amosu
7 Comments
Wow, this coach is smart. Smart talk. I love that. I’m happy reading this. You have spoken and I have heard you coach Dennerby. May God be with you and your team. I know we can do it. Don’t give any space to France to operate and play their game. For sure, we have a good plan. God bless Nigeria!!!
why wount u love it.
Loool…. Mumitee
if we no collect after 90 minute today, i will be the number 1 fan of deneerby. good luck
Same question was asked when Barcelona beat Liverpool by 3.0. ‘How could Liverpool overturn the deficit against all mighty Barcelona and win in the return match’ was the question on everybody’s lips, How????!!! But it happened(against all odds). In life, u don’t have to give up easily no matter the circumstance. This is one of the reasons why most us don’t succeed. We believe that some people are meant to succeed while some are meant not to! What a big fat lie from the pit of hell! Everything is possible if u believe. Now the question is, do Our gals have what it takes to beat France?? The answers is: hell yes, they do!! They should just go out there and make history for their motherland. Pride and arrogance will pull France down going by their self perceived pedigree, this will be their undoing.
I will nominate this coach for a chieftaincy title in my village if he can pull this off.
Super falcons should remain focus for 90 minutes and have self believe as their coach. knowing that it is 11 vs 11 nothing more. Don’t give them space to operate, massive defend and massive attack will only earn you a point today. up up up Super Falcons.