Exciting Lineup Predicted! England vs Nigeria: Keira Walsh Sparkles as Sarina Wiegman Reveals Game-Changing Plan for Women's World Cup Last-16 Clash
Keira Walsh's injury scare in England's win over Denmark makes her availability uncertain for the Women's World Cup last-16 match against Nigeria Follow the game on Sky Sports live blog Kick-off at 830am
Sarina Wiegman has disclosed that Keira Walsh might make an unexpected comeback from her injury for England's Women's World Cup last-16 clash against Nigeria on Monday. Walsh sustained a seemingly severe knee problem during England's victory over Denmark on July 28, causing concerns that she may be the next women's player to have endured an ACL injury.
However, Walsh has already resumed team training after being absent from the victory over China on Tuesday. According to Wiegman, if Walsh continues to respond positively to treatment, she may be able to participate in the upcoming match against Nigeria in Brisbane.
"She's progressing well," stated the manager in regards to Walsh. "As soon as we became aware of the situation, she immediately began her rehabilitation."
"She has been on the pitch training today so now we will wait to see how she recovers.
"If she does well then she will be available for tomorrow."
Wiegman declined to reveal the specific details of Walsh's problem, simply stating that it did not involve a ligament injury. Nonetheless, she did mention that witnessing the incident was distressing, yet following the assessment, they were able to gain a clear understanding of the situation.
No danger of complacency, insists Wiegman
With the early elimination of Germany and Brazil, and England's impressive performance against China, many have tipped Wiegman's side as the likely winners of the Women's World Cup.The manager, who led the Netherlands to the final of the competition in 2019, strongly dismissed any notion of complacency infiltrating the team. She stated firmly, "No, not at all. This tournament has demonstrated that nothing comes easy. The progress of the game is evident here."
"We have faced a tough challenge in every game so far, and we anticipate the same level of difficulty in tomorrow's match. It will be a highly competitive encounter, and we must perform at our utmost capabilities."
Wiegman acknowledges the impressive feat of Nigeria, who successfully advanced from a group consisting of co-hosts Australia and the reigning Olympic champions Canada. Additionally, she recognizes the threat posed by Africa's top-ranked team.
"There are a few threats posed by Nigeria," stated the England manager. "They have performed admirably in the group stage.
"In terms of counterattacks, they prove to be highly menacing. Their speed and physicality make them formidable, so it is crucial for us to remain vigilant of these factors."
'Win could be transformational for Nigeria'
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Randy Waldrum has guided Nigeria to the last 16
Nigeria manager, Randy Waldrum, believes that beating England would be a monumental accomplishment for the team. Despite being labeled as the 'group of death' in Australia and New Zealand, Nigeria managed to defy expectations and progress to the next stage. Waldrum acknowledges the current success of the team and the buzz it has generated in Nigeria.
If you can not only defeat the Olympic gold medallist but also triumph over the European champions, it would be an exceptionally remarkable achievement for both the people of Nigeria and the squad. This triumph has the potential to bring about significant positive changes in numerous aspects.
Despite Nigeria's No 40 FIFA ranking, their performances have surpassed expectations. This is particularly remarkable considering the team's conflict with their federation over pay before the tournament and rumors about Waldrum's job being at risk. However, among the three African teams in the knockout stages, Nigeria is only one victory away from reaching the last eight, a feat they haven't accomplished since 1999.
"I have observed the unfolding of this World Cup and witnessed various captivating storylines, involving successful teams," stated Waldrum, an American.
"Regarding the African teams...the abundance of talent is undeniable, perhaps causing surprise among those outside of Africa, but I believe that those within Africa are not taken aback."
What is the schedule?
Don't miss a single moment of the round of 16, happening from August 5 to August 8! Immerse yourself in the action as eight thrilling games take place across Australia and New Zealand. Stream all the excitement and more with NOW, available for just £26 a month for 12 months. And the best part? You can cancel anytime.The quarter-finals are scheduled for August 11 and 12, and will be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney. The first semi-final will be played in Auckland on August 15, while the other semi-final will take place at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 16. The final will be held at the same stadium on August 20.
A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.
