Contenders and a Co-Host Survey the Uncertain Road Ahead
The stress is on for Australia. The Australians entered this Women’s World Cup as co-hosts seeking to win the event on house soil, and shortly struggled.
After shedding their star striker Sam Kerr proper earlier than the primary recreation, Australia eked out a win over scrappy Ireland, 1-0, earlier than falling to Nigeria, 3-2. Now, the Australians are in a combat for his or her event lives, successfully needing a win over Canada to advance. The good news is that Kerr is again, as she mentioned on Saturday that she could be out there towards Canada. The dangerous news is that it gained’t be clear till nearer to recreation time how a lot Kerr could be out there.
The Australians will take all she may give as they attempt to beat a Canadian staff that shares their title ambitions.
Canada vs. Australia
The most anticipated matchup of Group B sees Canada, attempting to determine itself as a contender regardless of a shaky begin, going through the host nation Australia, a staff that faltered in its most up-to-date loss to Nigeria, 3-2. Australia misplaced three key gamers to harm forward of that Nigeria match, together with Kerr, its main scorer and the face of the staff who has missed the primary two video games of this event. Kerr, who sustained a calf harm in coaching forward of the opening match, mentioned Saturday that she is again coaching and will probably be out there for the sport towards Canada.
If Canada wins, Australia is out of this World Cup. Canada has gained its final three matchups with Australia, and also will be seeking to keep away from a loss to have the most effective shot at advancing to the knockout rounds.
Japan vs. Spain
Japan and Spain are each safely advancing to the spherical of 16. But this matchup is a chance for Japan to show it has actual ambitions of a deep run on this event. Spain is without doubt one of the most dominant threats on this World Cup and has but to be challenged. Both groups have performed tremendously of their first two video games.
Japan misplaced to Spain, 1-0, in a pleasant final November. Each staff will present the opposite its first actual check of this event.
Ireland vs. Nigeria
This is Ireland’s final match on this World Cup, after a loss to Canada eradicated the staff final week. Its farewell gained’t be a simple one. Nigeria is at present main Group B after drawing with Canada, 0-0, and upsetting Australia, 3-2. With the Irish exiting regardless, their final act could possibly be enjoying spoiler — in the event that they shock Nigeria with a win, the Nigerians’ possibilities of advancing will depend on aim distinction.
But Nigeria has proved to be a lot stronger than its No. 40 rating would counsel. “I would say that we were underestimated and underappreciated,” Coach Randy Waldrum mentioned on Sunday. As it stands, the Nigerians are poised to make the knockout rounds for simply the third time in this system’s historical past.
Costa Rica vs. Zambia
This match is a swan music for each side, after dominant play by Japan and Spain eradicated each Costa Rica and Zambia. Both sides at the moment are enjoying for his or her first win of the event. The odds of which might be barely in Costa Rica’s favor, as Zambia has given up probably the most targets of any staff within the event.
