The third and final round of group stage matches in the Women’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympics are set to take place throughout Wednesday, giving each team their final chance of progressing one step closer to the coveted medals.
Nigeria will face Japan in their final fixture in Group C, with the Super Falcons needing a win to have any chance of progressing, while Japan already look likely to go through but will want to avoid defeat.
Nigeria vs Japan
Wednesday 31 July, 16:00
Stade de la Beaujoire
Nigeria have had a disappointing opening two matches in their first Olympic appearance since 2008, falling to narrow 1-0 defeats against both Brazil and Spain.
Those losses leave them bottom of the group, three points behind Brazil and Japan and six behind the leaders Spain, who have all but confirmed their progression into the next stage, leaving the Super Falcons needing a win to have any chance of going through to the next round.
Their opening match against Brazil was an even encounter for the majority of the 90 minutes, with Nigeria having 13 shots to Brazil’s six and keeping 48% of the ball. However, Nigeria were unable to find the back of the net, leaving Gabi Nunes’s 37th-minute strike as the winner.
Their second match saw them be predictably dominated by the current World champions, with Spain having 25 shots to Nigeria’s two and holding an overwhelming 76% of the ball. The Super Falcons managed to get to the last five minutes of the game with the score still at 0-0 though and looked like taking a phenomenal draw, but Alexia Putellas’s looping free-kick ended up in the back of the net to give Spain all three points.
Nigeria have now failed to score in each of their last four international matches, only netting two in their last seven, and they will need to vastly improve if they are to have any chance of advancing.
As for Japan, they were also dominated by the outstanding Spain side and narrowly lost 2-1 after conceding a 74th-minute winner, leaving them with no points from their first game.
A tight affair against Brazil followed, and despite Japan having just 36% of the ball, they took double Brazil’s shots with 15 compared to seven, but they still found themselves 1-0 down in the 90th minute.
However, an extremely dramatic final few minutes of additional time were to follow, starting with a penalty being awarded to Japan that was tucked away by Saki Kumagai. Japan did not stop there though, going on to score a sensational 96th-minute winner from Momoko Tanikawa to take all three points.
Depending on Brazil’s result against Spain, Japan could already finish in second place, while they would be hopeful of securing a place in the next round as one of the best third-placed sides if Brazil do move above them.
Japan will be confident of securing their progression on their own terms though, coming up against a Nigeria side that has struggled in recent matches.
Bet9ja Tips
Both sides had plenty of promise coming into the tournament, but so far only one has shown their talent and skill on the pitch, with Nigeria struggling to reach the levels that they know they can achieve.
Japan have looked good in both defensive and offensive areas in their two matches so far, and have shown they have plenty of belief and determination after scoring two stoppage-time goals in their last outing.
Unfortunately for the Super Falcons, we think this is the end of their 2024 Olympics campaign as we expect Japan to take all three points here, booking their place in the next round.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria to win: 6.50, Draw: 4.25, Japan to win: 1.48
Japan win and under 1.5 goals booking code: 6V8Y9DV
Draw booking code: 6V8YBRM
Under 1.5 goals booking code: 6V8YCNJ
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