‘S’ Falcons Must Work Hard Ahead Of World Cup’

Coach Thomas Dennerby has said the Super Falcons will work hard in their preparations for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
Nigeria, following their triumph in the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana, were pooled with hosts France as well as Norway and Korea Republic for the global tournament next year.
The draw for the 2019 World Cup was held at a colourful ceremony inside the La Seine Musicale on the River Seine in Paris.
“There is no easy group here. I am okay with the draw because I always knew that we will have to play (against) the best teams. That is what you do at the World Cup,” explained Dennerby.
“The French team is, of course, world-class, and I know we would have to fight very hard against them.
“The Koreans are very technical and have pace, but we will confront them with our physical strength, ability and pace of our own and we have a great chance in there.
“I know the Norway team, more than they know us or can hope to know us. At the end of the day, it would come down to preparations.
“We must prepare very hard and then take it one match at a time during the finals,” the Swede said at the mixed zone which followed the draw ceremony.
“If you have to make real impact at the FIFA World Cup, you have to beat the strong teams. That is what we have to prepare for.
“I am looking ahead to an interesting tournament in France in the summer of next year.”
Meanwhile, South Korea manager Yoon Deok-yeo is targeting their match against Nigeria at next year’s Women’s World Cup as a must-win.
Nigeria, who recently claimed yet another Africa Women Cup of Nations title, have been drawn in Group A with South Korea hosts France, as well as Norway.
The Asian side will play ‘Les Bleus’ in the opening match at Parc des Princes in Paris on June 7, before tackling Nigeria in Grenoble on June 12 and Norway in Reims on June 17.
“Norway and Nigeria cannot be ignored. Norway is a strong team that has already won a World Cup, and Nigeria has qualified for its eighth consecutive World Cup finals,” said Yoon.
“The second match against Nigeria will be a crucial match and we will have to win this match and then play the decisive match against Norway.”
Nigeria’s opening game will be against Norway in Reims on June 8.
The other African sides are South Africa and Cameroon, who have been drawn in Groups B (with Germany, Spain and China) and E (with Canada, New Zealand and Netherlands) respectively.