AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The verdict remains to be out on the legitimacy of each Australia and England on the Women’s World Cup, the place every crew has an opportunity Monday to maneuver into the quarterfinals and make a declare as true event contenders.
England swept by three video games of Group D play and allowed only one objective, which got here in an emphatic 6-1 victory over China. But the European Champions had been a bit flat in earlier 1-0 wins towards Haiti and Denmark.
Either manner, England joined Japan and Sweden as the one three groups to go an ideal 3-0 in group play. Next up for the Lionesses is a knockout sport towards Nigeria, which used a 3-2 upset over Australia to maneuver into the spherical of 16.
Nigeria has certified for the World Cup in all 9 of its editions however has reached the quarterfinals solely as soon as, in 1999. Nigeria is the one African crew to ever advance to the quarterfinals, and can attempt to do it once more towards England.
“They are the European champions and we just have to try our best to make Nigeria proud again. We are expecting nothing but a difficult game, to be sincere with you,” Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie stated. “But we believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians and we will come out strong.”
Australia, in the meantime, had a nerve-racking time in group play. Without injured striker Sam Kerr, the Matildas appeared solely mediocre in a 1-0 win over Ireland, then had been shocked by their loss to Nigeria. It despatched Australia right into a must-win Group B finale towards Canada, and Australia eradicated the Tokyo Olympics gold medalists 4-0.
Australia now faces Denmark in a must-win sport for the World Cup co-hosts to proceed on this event. Denmark beat Haiti and China in group play, however misplaced to England.
England-Nigeria
England didn’t play on the degree anticipated of the European Champions in its first two group-stage matches, so the Lionesses went to a tactical change in formation, switching from 4-3-3 to 3-4-1-2 for the win over China.
England coach Sarina Wiegman is predicted to proceed with that technique for the Monday evening match in Brisbane, Australia. Lauren James has led the Lionesses with three objectives within the final two matches, and the crew has by no means misplaced a aggressive match underneath Wiegman’s steering.
Nigeria has not misplaced a match since February, when it ended a run of seven defeats, and has logged 4 wins and two attracts since then. The Super Falcons bookended group play with scoreless attracts towards Canada and Ireland, with the middle-game victory over Australia sufficient to get them into the knockout spherical.
Nigeria has by no means gained within the knockout spherical of the World Cup.
The Super Falcons get Deborah Abiodun again towards England after the ahead missed two matches after receiving a pink card within the opening sport towards Canada. Desire Oparanozie, one other ahead, has additionally been injured for Nigeria however is predicted to be out there towards England.
“She’s had a few days of good training in between Ireland and England,” Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum stated Sunday. “The game is going to dictate how we make our moves. But the good thing is she is now available. That’s the good news.”
Waldrum is unlikely to change the lineup a lot and can most likely have Abiodun and Oparanozie on the bench for the beginning.
“I think already with what we’ve accomplished, Nigeria is buzzing again,” Waldrum stated. “I don’t think people expected us to get out of the group, or to get the results that we’ve gotten. So it’s already been a big success. Not only have we now beaten the Olympic gold medalist, but if you can turn around and beat the European champions, it would be something extremely special for the people in Nigeria and, more importantly, for this squad. It could certainly be transformational in a lot of different ways.”
Keira Walsh gave England a possible increase when the midfielder was capable of follow with the crew Sunday. Walsh sustained a knee harm in England’s 1-0 win towards Denmark in the course of the group stage and her standing for the rest of the event was unsure.
Walsh participated in particular person coaching earlier than rejoining her teammates on the eve of the match. England didn’t reveal if Walsh will play towards Nigeria.
Australia-Denmark
Australia managed to win Group B regardless of mediocre play and the absence of star Sam Kerr, who was out with a calf harm for all three video games.
The shocking 3-2 loss to Nigeria had Australia on the ropes, however the win over Canada was sufficient to earn the Matildas the knockout spherical match towards Denmark in Sydney. Kerr, who stated forward of the Canada sport she was match however didn’t play, is predicted for use towards Denmark.
“This is do or die now,” stated Australia goalie Mackenzie Arnold. “Historically, we’ve always really performed well with our backs against the wall.”
Australia was final within the knockout stage of the World Cup in 2019, shedding to Norway on penalty kicks. The match is the second time Denmark and Australia will play in a yr; the Matildas earned their first win ever over the Danes in a 3-1 pleasant performed Viborg, Denmark, final October.
Denmark is again within the event for the primary time since 2007, and the crew made it to the quarterfinals in 1991 and 1995, however didn’t make it out of group play once more till this yr. Denmark solely allowed one objective over three video games to advance, and is powered by ahead Pernille Harder, who has scored 71 objectives in her worldwide profession. Harder scored on a penalty kick towards Haiti in final week’s closing sport of group play.
“Denmark have a lot of quality players all over the pitch and world-class in their final third,” Matildas’ defender Clare Polkinghorne stated. “It’s definitely going to be a tough job for us to keep them contained, but I think as the games go on, obviously, your defense is going to be key.”
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