Co-hosts Australia must beat Canada or threat an unthinkable exit from the Women’s World Cup within the first spherical, whereas former champions Japan tackle Spain with prime spot of their group on the road.
Australia are sweating on the health of star ahead and captain Sam Kerr for the Group B sport in opposition to Canada in Melbourne the place solely a win will assure them a spot within the final 16.
Kerr has missed the Matildas’ two matches to this point, through which they beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 however then suffered a shock 3-2 defeat in opposition to Nigeria.
She has declared herself accessible after a calf harm however it’s unsure how a lot of an element she is going to play in opposition to the Olympic champions.
“Everyone involved in sport knows that with calf injuries it’s one thing that you’re available, but there’s also risk when you come back from a muscle injury,” mentioned Australia coach Tony Gustavsson forward of the sport.
Australia are a degree behind each Canada and Nigeria, and a draw might solely be sufficient for the co-hosts to undergo ought to the Nigerians lose to Ireland in Brisbane on the similar time.
Otherwise they should win to keep away from struggling the identical destiny as New Zealand and being eradicated from their dwelling World Cup within the first spherical.
A draw will do for Canada, whose coach Bev Priestman was not specializing in Kerr’s health.
“We’ve spoken about what it takes to beat Australia because Australia is not just Sam Kerr,” she mentioned.
After gorgeous Australia of their final sport, Nigeria’s Super Falcons want only a level in opposition to the already-eliminated Irish to undergo to the knockout part.
Before these video games, the finale to Group C sees already-qualified Japan and Spain battle it out for prime spot in Wellington (0700 GMT).
Spain, that includes Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, lead the group on purpose distinction from the 2011 World Cup winners, that means Japan have to win to complete prime.
Whoever tops Group C will keep in Wellington for a last-16 tie on Saturday in opposition to Norway, whereas the runners-up will head north to Auckland to face Switzerland the identical day.
– Colombia stun Germany –
The Swiss secured first place in Group A on Sunday with a 0-0 draw in opposition to New Zealand because the co-hosts had been eradicated on purpose distinction by Norway, who hammered the Philippines 6-0.
Many of the New Zealand gamers had been distraught on the finish.
“There are a lot of tears out there, but they should be so proud to finish on four points,” captain Ali Riley mentioned.
A 97th-minute header from Manuela Vanegas gave Colombia a surprising 2-1 win over Germany in Sydney in Group H.
Germany smashed Morocco 6-0 of their opener to underline why they had been among the many pre-tournament favourites, together with Spain and England, to grab the crown from holders the United States.
But they got here crashing again right down to earth by the hands of a Colombia facet impressed by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo and roared on by nearly all of a rowdy 40,000 crowd.
Caicedo scored a superb opener to place Colombia forward, however Germany thought that they had salvaged a degree within the 89th minute when skipper Alexandra Popp levelled from the penalty spot.
However, Vanegas popped as much as head dwelling from shut vary and put Colombia on the verge of the final 16.
“Germany is a world power, that’s a reality, but Colombia has been making great strides and today Colombia is a world power,” mentioned the defender Vanegas.
“I dreamed of scoring a goal in a World Cup, I knew it was going to come and I decided to do it for today’s game.” Morocco received a Women’s World Cup match for the primary time after Ibtissam Jraidi struck early to offer them a 1-0 victory over South Korea.
Going into the final spherical of group matches, Colombia are prime of Group H on six factors, Germany and Morocco have three and South Korea have zero.
Originally printed as Matildas v Canada kick off time, tickets: Sam Ker health, groups, stay news FIFA World Cup 2023
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
