The pressure is on for Australia. The Australians entered this Women’s World Cup as co-hosts aiming to win the competition on house soil, and rapidly had a hard time.
After losing their star striker Sam Kerr right prior to the very first video game, Australia eked out a win over scrappy Ireland, 1-0, prior to being up to Nigeria, 3-2. Now, the Australians remain in a defend their competition lives, successfully requiring a win over Canada to advance. Fortunately is that Kerr is back, as she stated on Saturday that she would be readily available versus Canada. The problem is that it will not be clear up until closer to video game time just how much Kerr may be readily available.
The Australians will take all she can provide as they attempt to beat a Canadian group that shares their title aspirations.
Canada vs. Australia
The most awaited match of Group B sees Canada, attempting to develop itself as a competitor in spite of an unsteady start, dealing with the host nation Australia, a group that failed in its latest loss to Nigeria, 3-2. Australia lost 3 essential gamers to injury ahead of that Nigeria match, consisting of Kerr, its leading scorer and the face of the group who has actually missed out on the very first 2 video games of this competition. Kerr, who sustained a calf injury in training ahead of the opening match, stated Saturday that she is back training and will be readily available for the video game versus Canada
If Canada wins, Australia runs out this World Cup. Canada has actually won its last 3 matches with Australia, and will likewise be aiming to prevent a loss to have the very best chance at advancing to the knockout rounds.
Japan vs. Spain
Japan and Spain are both securely advancing to the round of 16. However this match is a chance for Japan to show it has genuine aspirations of a deep run in this competition. Spain is among the most dominant hazards in this World Cup and has yet to be challenged. Both groups have actually played enormously in their very first 2 video games.
Japan lost to Spain, 1-0, in a friendly last November. Each group will supply the other its very first genuine test of this competition.
Ireland vs. Nigeria
This is Ireland’s last match in this World Cup, after a loss to Canada removed the group recently. Its goodbye will not be a simple one. Nigeria is presently leading Group B after drawing with Canada, 0-0, and disturbing Australia, 3-2. With the Irish leaving regardless, their last act might be playing spoiler– if they stun Nigeria with a win, the Nigerians’ opportunities of advancing will count on objective distinction.
However Nigeria has actually shown to be much more powerful than its No. 40 ranking would recommend. “I would state that we were ignored and underappreciated,” Coach Randy Waldrum stated on Sunday As it stands, the Nigerians are poised to make the knockout rounds for simply the 3rd time in the program’s history.
Costa Rica vs. Zambia
This match is a swan tune for both sides, after dominant play by Japan and Spain removed both Costa Rica and Zambia. Both sides are now betting their very first win of the competition. The chances of that are a little in Costa Rica’s favor, as Zambia has actually quit the most objectives of any group in the competition.