AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) – Three powerhouse groups play on the second day of the Women’s World Cup knockout stage and a minimum of among the best can be eradicated.
The United States is the two-time reigning event champions and ranked No. 1 on this planet. But their lackluster play within the group stage stopped the Americans from successful their group, which knocked them all the way down to second and a Sunday match towards Sweden within the spherical of 16.
Sweden is ranked third on this planet and gained its group by sweeping all three video games. The seventh World Cup assembly between the 2 groups – probably the most frequent matchup in event historical past – can be performed in Melbourne, Australia.
Netherlands, in the meantime, is ranked ninth on this planet and faces South Africa in Sydney. The Dutch had been runners-up to the United States within the 2019 World Cup closing.
“Everything is related to our ambition as a football country,” Netherlands coach Andries Jonker mentioned via a translator. “Being part of the top-10 in the ranking, that’s my goal, and if you want to achieve that, you need to show something and we want to do that in our way.”
US-SWEDEN
One of the highest gamers in ladies’s soccer will finish her World Cup profession after the match between the United States and Sweden.
Megan Rapinoe, the Golden Boot winner of the 2019 event with six objectives and three assists for the Americans, has mentioned she is going to retire after the World Cup. Same for Sweden midfielder Caroline Sege r, who mentioned her fifth World Cup can be her final.
Both groups need to win Sunday to make sure their celebrity centerpiece can proceed within the event. For Seger, the World Cup is the one hole on her resume.
Seger’s 235 appearances for Sweden are probably the most for any feminine participant in Europe, and though she has two Olympic silver medals and two World Cup bronze medals, Sweden has by no means gained a serious event. Seger’s teammates don’t need to see her profession finish and not using a probability to play for the World Cup title.
“We get very, very motivated by that,” defender Nathalie Bjorn mentioned. “We will have full focus on Sunday. We will do everything we can as a team, as individuals, then we will make sure we knock out the U.S.”
The 38-year-old Seger has been struggling wit a calf drawback all yr and educated alone within the two days of follow main into the showdown with the U.S.
Rapinoe, in the meantime, has taken on a smaller function for the Americans in her closing event. Also 38, she was a substitute within the United States’ first and third video games of group play and didn’t get off the bench within the center match.
American striker Alex Morgan mentioned each Rapinoe and Seger have had “incredible” careers.
“I’m very optimistic about our chances tomorrow, but regardless, these are players that have really changed the game,” Morgan mentioned. “Not only in Sweden and the U.S. but globally. Having been able to play with both of them, they’re great teammates and have been leaders for so long at the highest stage. They’re huge impact players.”
The U.S. scored simply 4 objectives within the opening stage, however Rapinoe mentioned she wasn’t overly involved about what has gave the impression to be a lackluster begin to the event – the staff nonetheless managed to advance. And she clearly didn’t need her World Cup journey to finish simply but.
“We got out of the group what we wanted to get out of the group, which was to get to the next round,” Rapinoe mentioned. “Obviously, we want to win the games. Obviously, we want to play great and score a bunch of goals. And we didn’t do that. So we know that that can be better.”
The U.S. will play with out Rose Lavelle, who picked up her second yellow card of the event within the group stage finale and has to take a seat out towards Sweden.
The Americans additionally educated with out veteran defender Kelley O’Hara on Saturday.
Despite the U.S. staff’s struggles, Sweden isn’t anticipating something lower than the perfect.
“We’re super excited. We’re playing against the U.S., they’re No. 1 in the world, you can never underestimate them,” Sweden midfielder Kosovare Asllani mentioned.
NETHERLANDS-SOUTH AFRICA
Netherlands is making an attempt to complete one spot greater within the Women’s World Cup than it did in 2019, when the Dutch misplaced to the United States within the championship match.
The first step within the spherical of 16 is No. 54-ranked South Africa, which notched its first win in a World Cup in a group-stage finale. A 3-2 win over Italy superior the Banyana Banyana to the knockout stage for the primary time in staff historical past.
“They fought like warriors. They fought like the heroines that we know that they are,” South Africa coach Desiree Ellis mentioned. “They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history, not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.”
This is barely the second World Cup look for South Africa, however its play within the group stage has the Banyana Banyana believing they will maintain their very own towards the Dutch.
“Going into the round of 16, you realize that anything is possible,” captain Refiloe Jane mentioned. “It’s knockout stages. You want to keep on fighting as a team, keep on reaching for one another and not lose sight of any of the possibilities that lie ahead.”
For Netherlands, central defender Stefanie van der Gragt is hoping to increase her event as she plans to retire after the event.
“I defend with all that I have,” van der Gragt mentioned. “I do the best I can for the team.”
Jonker isn’t interested by van der Gragt probably making an early exit.
“We can win against everybody, so we’re not giving you any consideration that (Sunday) might be the last game – not at all. She has to play a few more games,” Jonker mentioned.
Netherlands is anticipated to have Lineth Beerensteyn again after the striker missed two matches with damage, but it surely was unclear if Jonker would use the Juventus participant or stick with the identical lineup. The Dutch allowed just one purpose in group play.
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AP World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com