What to expect from Canada’s 2023 World Cup opener vs. Nigeria

The Canadian ladies’s nationwide crew will kick off its 2023 World Cup marketing campaign on Thursday night (Canadian time) in what must be an intriguing opener in opposition to Nigeria.

Both sides drew 2-2 in a pleasant final April, albeit with Canada lacking a few key gamers. Regardless, a precedent has been set. Les Rouges gained’t be capable to take their ft off the fuel in any of their three Group B matches, which makes an early win much more essential.

Here’s what we are able to count on out of each groups from a tactical perspective on Thursday beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT.

THE HIGH PRESS

One of Nigeria’s fascinating tactical quirks is its urgent depth. Over the final calendar 12 months in opposition to World Cup-bound opponents, the Nigerians are averaging 8.48 passes per defensive motion (PPDA). That contains matches in opposition to the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Colombia, all higher-ranked sides.

The output has barely fluctuated primarily based on Nigeria’s opponents, however the tactic stays the identical: press opponents aggressively within the attacking third.

That development goes way back to the April 2022 pleasant in opposition to Canada in Langford, B.C. Three of Nigeria’s seven pictures have been produced off Canadian losses in possession, a few which have been compelled by the excessive press or by way of second balls.

Both targets have been scored off damaged performs or set items and the pitch at Starlight Stadium in Langford is slim, which advantages a excessive press. However, it is a staple of Nigeria’s tactical rules as they’ve nonetheless produced high quality possibilities by way of excessive recoveries in latest video games.

All the extra motive why this is likely one of the keys to the match.

WIDTH

While Nigeria is predominantly right-side heavy in assault, Canada is simply as reliant on the vast areas in opposition to extra elite competitors and opponents normally reward them these alternatives.

More usually than not, Canada tends to bypass an opponent’s excessive press by taking part in direct over the road of engagement, profitable the second ball, then taking part in the ball into vacated house by the opposition’s winger.

The strikes are normally capped off by back-post crosses. In truth, nearly all of Canada’s crosses in latest matchups vs. World Cup-bound groups are nearly completely in that space.

All the extra motive to begin Jordyn Huitema up entrance. She’s acquired extra crosses (13) in Canada’s final 9 video games in opposition to World Cup contributors than every other participant, producing two pictures and 0.39 anticipated targets (xG) from these possibilities.

THE BACK POST

Those back-post crosses for Canada could come in useful on set items. Nigeria tends to overload one put up on corners with no less than three gamers, whereas one defends the opposite put up.

This wasn’t unique to the April 2022 pleasant, both. Nigeria additionally did this in latest friendlies in opposition to the United States.

In this specific occasion, there are 5 gamers within the six-yard field, however that’s because of the two Americans occupying that house. Otherwise, there’d doubtless be the same old three. Regardless, there’s nonetheless a transparent path to the again put up.

Canada produced three pictures from seven corners in opposition to Nigeria in Langford, so the method is there. Now it’s simply all the way down to execution on Thursday night time.

Peter Galindo is certainly one of Canada’s main soccer journalists, with bylines for Sportsnet and MLS whereas co-hosting Northern Fútbol, a Canadian soccer-centric podcast, which you’ll subscribe to on Apple, Spotify and different platforms. He additionally works as a efficiency analyst for the Canadian males’s nationwide crew.

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