FIFA WWC: Waldrum remains focused despite injuries to Australia Kerr and Fowler

Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum insists Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler's absence from the Matildas won't lull his charges into a false sense of security ahead of their Women's World Cup clash.

Fowler was ruled out of Thursday's match at Suncorp Stadium, along with veteran defender Aivi Luik after they were concussed in separate incidents on Tuesday.

Kerr was already sidelined with the calf injury that forced her scratching from the opening 1-0 win over Ireland.

'Well, we never like to see players injured and I know how devastating that is, missing matches in the World Cup,' Waldrum told reporters on Wednesday.

'But I don't think it really changes our tactics and what we're trying to do - they obviously still have a lot of weapons that can hurt you.

'I know a lot of their players really well from playing back in the NWSL when I was coaching in the pro league and I know the quality of those players so we can't go into the match thinking we're at some advantage for that reason.'

Waldrum indicated Nigeria would look to frustrate Australia, similar

to how Ireland were able to minimise their attacking opportunities in the 1-0 opening win.

'Would I take that kind of result, making it as difficult [as possible] on Australia? Absolutely,' he said.

'We would hope we could cause those problems as well.'

A packed pro-Matildas crowd will be in attendance on Thursday.

Waldrum and midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade said they would take the crowd in their stride, while the coach was happy to jump on any potential Australian nerves.

'Anything they want to give to us, we'll take it,' he said with a laugh.

After a 0-0 draw against Canada first up that wasn't without chances, Waldrum will hope for a more clinical edge in Brisbane.

'At this level, it's all about getting results at this point and getting points out of it,' he said.

'Maybe I would worry more if we weren't creating opportunities at all but we have been.' It's a very, very difficult group. So you're not going to be putting in four or five goals a game in this kind of group.

'So I'm not worried about that. We have quality in the team, we have players that can score goals and we just have to make sure when those opportunities come that we're clinical.'

Nigeria are without Deborah Ajibola Abiodun, who was sent off against Canada.