Super falcons

Norway’s coach Even Pellerud has described Group D in FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next year as a terrible group.

The group has USA, Australia, Sweden and Nigeria having to do battle to reach the knockout stage next year.

“That’s a terrible group – four strong teams,” he said.

But Nigerian coach Edwin Okon deflected questions about the task ahead, saying “It’s a challenge. It’s a good one … we’re not afraid of any group.”

The Nigerian coach is not the only one of the Coaches of the four teams drawn together in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ putting on brave faces.

U.S. coach Jill Ellis, whose players are keen to avenge their loss against Japan in 2011 final, expressed confidence her side could make it to the knock-out stage.

“It’s a good group to kind of get us ready to play. I think physically it’s a demanding group but we’ve got a lot of depth on our roster and I think we’ll be able to manage the group,” she said.

The United States will play their first game against Australia, whose coach Alen Stajcic said every one of the four sides would find the group tough.

“We think we’re an improving team and this is a chance to test ourselves right from the outset,” he said.

“You have got to expect tough teams along the way and teams of different styles and we all play teams out of our confederation and out of your comfort zone,” he said.

But Canadian coach John Herdman thanked his stars for avoiding the group.

“I think the soccer gods listened to us last night. We avoided that group of death. I mean, wow, that’s a tough group,” he told reporters.