Holders United States arrived on the Women’s World Cup as favourites to win an unprecedented third straight title however its place within the event will probably be on the road when it takes on Portugal in Tuesday’s Group E showdown in Auckland.
The Americans, who’ve by no means been eradicated from the group stage in World Cup historical past, haven’t but hit peak type. They beat minnows Vietnam 3-0, and a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands left each groups locked on 4 factors.
An enormous win for the Netherlands in opposition to already eradicated Vietnam in Dunedin might give it an opportunity of leapfrogging the defending champion, which sit prime due to a superior aim distinction.
While third-placed Portugal can nonetheless qualify with an upset in opposition to the top-ranked Americans, the U.S. and Netherlands stay extra more likely to advance and can goal to rack up the targets.
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“For us the most important thing is getting into the knockout stage, first and foremost,” U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski stated.
“We don’t want to look two, three, four steps forward. If we start thinking too far ahead, our chance may never come.”
The Group E runners-up might face Sweden, presently main Group G after thrashing Italy 5-0, within the final 16.
“It would be nice to perhaps avoid Sweden in the next rounds,” stated Dutch ahead Lieke Martens, who was a part of the workforce that beat Sweden within the 2019 World Cup semi-finals.
“That was a big result (against Italy). There was a lot of scoring against a good opponent.”
Lindsey Horan of the U.S. celebrates scoring in opposition to the Netherlands.
| Photo Credit:
AMANDA PEROBELLI/REUTERS
Lindsey Horan of the U.S. celebrates scoring in opposition to the Netherlands.
| Photo Credit:
AMANDA PEROBELLI/REUTERS
Group D may even go right down to the wire on Tuesday, with England within the field seat. The European champion sits prime with six factors and solely wants a draw in opposition to China in Adelaide to seal a knockout spot.
Denmark, taking part in at a World Cup for the primary time since 2007, is stage on three factors with China however in second place on aim distinction earlier than it faces event newcomers Haiti in Perth.
