SINSHEIM, Germany (AFP) - Both France and Nigeria feel that the 2011 Women's World Cup opener was just that—an opener to Group A play.
And neither the winners France nor losers Nigeria are counting the group stage as over.
"Just like every other team, we want to win every
game we play. We earned three very, very important points. But we have three do-or-die matches and have to win at least two. Now we have to win one more of them," said France coach Bruno Bini, whose team is even with Germany with three points after their 1-0 win in the Group A opener.
Nigeria and Canada both have zero points with two matches each to play.
"It's not done for us, and it's not done for Nigeria. They are a very good team. Nigeria will torture a couple other teams," said Bini.
The French coach has an injury concern looming as right outside back Wendie Renard was forced out injured after 69 minutes and replaced by Laure Lepailleur.
Renard, who was badly limping with a heavily taped left upper leg after the game, was already taking the place of regular starter Corine Franco on the right side.
With his sights set on Thursday and France's second Group A encounter with Canada, Bini said: "We will just sit and calmly analyse this game and see what we did right and wrong."
Nigeria coach Ngozi Uche meanwhile remained confident that her team still has a lot of football to play at Germany 2011.
"I always say, football is a game. It's never won or lost until it's played. We do respect Germany. They are a good side. But I still believe in the game of football anything can happen. There is no team that cannot be beaten," said Uche of the Thursday encounter with two-time champions and hosts Germany.
"We cannot give it to Germany now until that match is played. We intend to give it a good fight."
But first Uche and her coaching staff have to go back to the drawing board as they play Germany.
"We will try to install confidence in them and encourage them to finish well," said Uche.
And neither the winners France nor losers Nigeria are counting the group stage as over.
"Just like every other team, we want to win every
game we play. We earned three very, very important points. But we have three do-or-die matches and have to win at least two. Now we have to win one more of them," said France coach Bruno Bini, whose team is even with Germany with three points after their 1-0 win in the Group A opener.
Nigeria and Canada both have zero points with two matches each to play.
"It's not done for us, and it's not done for Nigeria. They are a very good team. Nigeria will torture a couple other teams," said Bini.
The French coach has an injury concern looming as right outside back Wendie Renard was forced out injured after 69 minutes and replaced by Laure Lepailleur.
Renard, who was badly limping with a heavily taped left upper leg after the game, was already taking the place of regular starter Corine Franco on the right side.
With his sights set on Thursday and France's second Group A encounter with Canada, Bini said: "We will just sit and calmly analyse this game and see what we did right and wrong."
Nigeria coach Ngozi Uche meanwhile remained confident that her team still has a lot of football to play at Germany 2011.
"I always say, football is a game. It's never won or lost until it's played. We do respect Germany. They are a good side. But I still believe in the game of football anything can happen. There is no team that cannot be beaten," said Uche of the Thursday encounter with two-time champions and hosts Germany.
"We cannot give it to Germany now until that match is played. We intend to give it a good fight."
But first Uche and her coaching staff have to go back to the drawing board as they play Germany.
"We will try to install confidence in them and encourage them to finish well," said Uche.
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