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 good news is that Kerr is again, as she stated on Saturday that she can be accessible towards Canada. The dangerous news is that it received’t be clear till nearer to sport time how a lot Kerr may be accessible.
The Australians will take all she may give as they attempt to beat a Canadian workforce that shares their title ambitions.
Canada vs. Australia
The most anticipated matchup of Group B sees Canada, attempting to ascertain itself as a contender regardless of a shaky begin, dealing with the host nation Australia, a workforce 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 workforce who has missed the primary two video games of this match. Kerr, who sustained a calf harm in coaching forward of the opening match, stated Saturday that she is again coaching and will likely be accessible for the sport towards Canada.
If Canada wins, Australia is out of this World Cup. Canada has received its final three matchups with Australia, and also will 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 among 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 workforce 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 workforce final week. Its farewell received’t be a simple one. Nigeria is at the moment 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 taking part in spoiler — in the event that they shock Nigeria with a win, the Nigerians’ probabilities of advancing will depend on objective 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 stated 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 either side, after dominant play by Japan and Spain eradicated each Costa Rica and Zambia. Both sides at the moment are taking part in 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 workforce within the match.
Source: www.nytimes.com