The strain is on for Australia. The Australians entered this Women’s World Cup as co-hosts trying to win the event 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 event lives, successfully needing a win over Canada to advance. The good news is that Kerr is again, as she stated on Saturday that she could be out there towards Canada. But she gained’t begin, her staff stated Monday simply earlier than the sport, and it stays to be seen how a lot she would possibly play, if in any respect.
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 ascertain 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 damage 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 damage in coaching forward of the opening match, stated Saturday that she is again coaching and will likely 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 trying to keep away from a loss to have the perfect shot at advancing to the knockout rounds.
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 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’ 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 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.
Source: www.nytimes.com