The stress is on for Australia. The Australians entered this Women’s World Cup as co-hosts seeking to win the match on residence soil, and rapidly struggled.
After shedding their star striker Sam Kerr proper earlier than the primary sport, Australia eked out a win over scrappy Ireland, 1-0, earlier than falling to Nigeria, 3-2. Now, the Australians are in a battle for his or her match lives, successfully needing a win over Canada to advance. The excellent news is that Kerr is again, as she mentioned on Saturday that she can be out there in opposition to Canada. The dangerous information is that it received’t be clear till nearer to sport time how a lot Kerr is perhaps out there.
The Australians will take all she can provide as they attempt to beat a Canadian crew that shares their title ambitions.
Canada vs. Australia
The most anticipated matchup of Group B sees Canada, making an attempt to determine itself as a contender regardless of a shaky begin, going through the host nation Australia, a crew that faltered in its most up-to-date loss to Nigeria, 3-2. Australia misplaced three key gamers to damage forward of that Nigeria match, together with Kerr, its main scorer and the face of the crew who has missed the primary two video games of this match. Kerr, who sustained a calf damage in coaching forward of the opening match, mentioned Saturday that she is again coaching and will probably be out there for the sport in opposition to Canada.
If Canada wins, Australia is out of this World Cup. Canada has received its final three matchups with Australia, and will even be seeking to keep away from a loss to have the perfect 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 match. Spain is likely 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 crew will present the opposite its first actual check of this match.
Ireland vs. Nigeria
This is Ireland’s final match on this World Cup, after a loss to Canada eradicated the crew final week. Its farewell received’t be a simple one. Nigeria is presently 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’ probabilities 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 track 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 match. The odds of which might be barely in Costa Rica’s favor, as Zambia has given up essentially the most objectives of any crew within the match.
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