FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Optus Sport – It’s day 17 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ in Australia and New Zealand and the football is coming thick and fast.
Yesterday was a rest day after group stage action concluded in dramatic fashion on Thursday with Morocco progressing to the knockout stages at the expense of world No.2 Germany.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 17th day of action, as well as what you missed from the day before.
FROM THURSDAY:
- Korean Republic 1-1 Germany
- Morocco 1-0 Columbia
What’s on today:
It’s another crucial day of football on Optus Sport as the Round of 16 kicks off.
Switzerland v Spain (3pm AEST)
After topping Group A, Switzerland would have been hoping for a kinder start to their knockout stage campaign.
But Spain’s surprise 4-0 loss to Japan last time out saw them finish second in Group C and set up this fascinating fixture.
The Swiss are yet to concede a goal at the tournament but have notably drawn their last two matches without scoring.
Spain, meanwhile, had impressed prior to that Japan defeat with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica and 5-0 rout of Zambia.
Switzerland will be hoping to grind this one out but Spain could prove too strong if they bounce back from their recent loss in the right way.
Japan v Norway (6pm AEST)
Having come into the tournament with little fanfare, Japan have quickly turned a few heads.
They won all three of their group matches, scoring 11 goals and not conceding any in the process.
Their reward for that fine form is a date with a Norway side that emerged from a recent slump at a vital time.
After a shock 1-0 loss to New Zealand, Norway then drew 0-0 with Switzerland before blowing Philippines away 6-0 to narrowly book their spot in the knockout stages.
That big win came despite the absence of injured star striker Ada Hegerberg, who remains a doubt for this match.
Japan have played some breathtaking football to date and Norway will need to put in a perfect performance to send them packing from the tournament.
Players to watch
Alba Redondo (Spain)
While Redondo is yet to start a match at the tournament, she looms as a real weapon off the bench for Spain.
She scored twice as a substitute against Zambia and could make all the difference late on against Switzerland if Spain need someone to break a deadlock.
Hinata Miyazawa (Japan)
It’s impossible to look past the current joint-top goal scorer at this Women’s World Cup.
Miyazawa is only 23 but has shown real maturity in front of goal to score four goals from three matches so far.
Her brace against Spain was particularly clinical and means she comes into the Round of 16 in form and ready to fire when it matters most.
Where to watch
Like every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, Switzerland v Spain and Japan v Norway will all be shown live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Live coverage begins from 2pm (AEST) on Optus Sport with Switzerland v Spain on Optus Sport 1, with Japan v Norway to follow.
Media Release – Optus Sport
Link to Optus Sport HERE
TV Central Optus Sport content HERE
