The strain is on for Australia. The Australians entered this Ladies’s World Cup as co-hosts trying to win the event on dwelling soil, and shortly struggled.
After dropping their star striker Sam Kerr proper earlier than the primary sport, Australia eked out a win over scrappy Eire, 1-0, earlier than falling to Nigeria, 3-2. Now, the Australians are in a struggle for his or her event lives, successfully needing a win over Canada to advance. The excellent news is that Kerr is again, as she stated on Saturday that she can be out there towards Canada. However she gained’t begin, her group 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 can provide as they attempt to beat a Canadian group that shares their title ambitions.
Canada vs. Australia
Essentially the most anticipated matchup of Group B sees Canada, attempting to ascertain itself as a contender regardless of a shaky begin, dealing with the host nation Australia, a group that faltered in its most up-to-date loss to Nigeria, 3-2. Australia misplaced three key gamers to harm forward of that Nigeria match, together with Kerr, its main scorer and the face of the group who has missed the primary two video games of this event. Kerr, who sustained a calf harm 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 very best shot at advancing to the knockout rounds.
Eire vs. Nigeria
That is Eire’s final match on this World Cup, after a loss to Canada eradicated the group final week. Its farewell gained’t be a straightforward 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 might be taking part in spoiler — in the event that they shock Nigeria with a win, the Nigerians’ probabilities of advancing will depend on purpose distinction.
However 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. Because it stands, the Nigerians are poised to make the knockout rounds for simply the third time in this system’s historical past.
