AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Canada is aware of it will probably overcome an opening-game draw on the Women’s World Cup as a result of it gained gold on the Tokyo Olympics when it bounced again from a primary sport draw in opposition to Japan.

Now Canada should rebound once more following a scoreless draw in opposition to Nigeria in its opening World Cup sport. The Canadians face Ireland, which is on debut within the match, on Wednesday within the Western Australia capital of Perth in an essential Group B match.

Canada coach Bev Priestman likened her crew’s look to the Tokyo crew.

“This is tournament football and if I go back to the Olympic games that we won, we started it with a draw, so you’ve got to move on very quickly,” she stated.

Captain Christine Sinclair, at 40 among the many oldest gamers on the World Cup, uncharacteristically missed a penalty within the fiftieth minute in opposition to the Nigerians. Sinclair is the highest worldwide scorer of all time, males or ladies, with 190 profession targets.

“Of course the team and I are devastated we didn’t get three points. But at the end of the day, we got one (point) and we took two from another team,” Priestman stated.

The Canadians have seen penalty heartbreak earlier than.

At the 2019 World Cup in France, Janine Beckie’s try was stopped by Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl within the spherical of 16. The Swedes went on to win 1-0.

The sport in opposition to Ireland is essential for the Canadians to advance.

Australia, which is enjoying with out injured star Sam Kerr, leads the group after a 1-0 victory over Ireland in Sydney. Steph Cately scored on a penalty within the 52nd minute that secured Australia’s win in entrance of a file crowd.

With the loss, Ireland tumbled to the underside of the group. But coach Vera Pauw was inspired along with her crew’s play and believes the Irish can dangle with anyone.

“The next one is against Canada, the Olympic champion,” Pauw stated. “We do not fear anyone and these players adapt so quickly.”

SPAIN-ZAMBIA

Spain continued its current roll by extending its streak to 6 consecutive victories with a simple 3-0 win over Costa Rica in its opening Group C match. Now a spot within the knockout rounds is inside attain in a Wednesday sport in opposition to Zambia in Auckland.

Spain seemed sensational in its opening match by pouncing for 3 targets within the first half-hour, and the Zambia victory may have been extra lopsided. La Roja had 46 photographs, with 12 makes an attempt on purpose.

Now a win over Zambia - and only a attract Japan‘s sport in opposition to Costa Rica - would put Spain within the spherical of 16 with a sport to spare.

“Our top objective is to win the game, to have six points, which would almost guarantee our progression to the next round,” coach Jorge Vilda stated. “Whether we score one, two or three goals, it is more important that we score more goals than the opponents to win the game. And if we can have that advantage before playing our final group match, that would be great.”

Spain has not conceded a purpose in its final 5 matches.

Zambia must step up its defensive play to keep away from early elimination. The Copper Queens have given up at the very least three targets in every of its final 4 worldwide matches, and a loss to Spain would seal their destiny with a sport to go in group play.

Adding to Zambia’s points: the crew is all the way down to its third goaltender via one sport of the match.

JAPAN-COSTA RICA

Japan can doubtlessly advance to the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup with a sport to spare in its Wednesday match in opposition to Costa Rica in Dunedin, New Zealand.

A 5-0 win over Zambia in its opening match has put Japan answerable for its personal destiny. The Nadeshiko have superior to the knockout around the final three World Cups - and gained the match in 2011 - and a victory over Costa Rica coupled with something however a Spain loss to Zambia within the different Group C sport would make it 4 straight.

Spain already rolled to a 3-0 win over Costa Rica within the first set of group video games, however Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda has cautioned his squad in opposition to underestimating their subsequent opponent.

“We’re getting used to the World Cup. I think we can bring out more, but we don’t want to be too complacent where (Costa Rica) can hit us where we’re not looking,” Ikeda stated. “I think they are a very good defensive team. They have the power to do a lot of plays, so we need to pay attention to various things when we’re planning our side of things.”

Japan has gained 4 of its final 5 matches, beating each Australia and Canada alongside the way in which, and Costa Rica has gained solely gained certainly one of its previous 12 matches. Japan is feeling much more assured headed into its second sport than it was within the opener - regardless of the convenience through which the Nadeshiko obtained previous Zambia.

“The first match was tough. We did it as a team. It was wonderful,” ahead Minami Tanaka stated. “Compared to the first match, we’re less nervous. I think we can play better, that’s what I believe. And personally, I’m happy we got the points, but I want to be more relaxed.”

Costa Rica, enjoying in its second Women’s World Cup, understands it may be eradicated by Japan. Las Ticas has by no means gained a sport on this stage, and the loss to Spain may have been even worse if not for 10 saves from goalkeeper Daniela Solera in opposition to Spain.

Costa Rica has 9 losses, two attracts and one win in its final 12 matches.

“I believe the team is filled with lots of hope, despite not having won the first match. We know we have possibilities to make it to the second round, so this had been the main goal. And personally, I feel good,” midfielder Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez stated. “The Japanese team, their quality speaks (for) itself. It is not an easy team. We know their players are very smart, very technical, very precise, very faithful to the style of (play) they present.”

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