FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Optus Sport – It’s day eight in Australia and New Zealand – and the football is coming thick and fast.
Yesterday, Canada claimed a close 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland, while Group C’s two qualifying teams were decided after Spain and Japan took their second victory.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the eighth day of action, as well as what you missed from the day before.
FROM MATCHDAY 7:
- Canada 2–1 Republic of Ireland
- Spain 5-0 Zambia
- Japan 2-0 Costa Rica
What’s on today:
We’ve seen all the teams in action and we’re going to get another look at the Matildas when they take on Nigeria.
Elsewhere, the reigning champions the USA are taking on the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 final.
United States v Netherlands (11am AEST)
This pair kicked off their World Cup campaign with three points, but now they’re gearing up for a winner-takes-all clash to see who is likely to qualify top of the group.
Thurday’s battle between the USA and the Netherlands is a rematch of the final four years ago, where Vlatko Andonovski’s side walked away with a 2-0 victory in Lyon.
the US will be confident they can repeat the feat having won 14 and drawn one of their last 15 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ games, since losing to Japan in the final in 2011.
They’ve only ever lost one group game of the 25 they’ve played in this competition to boot, so the Netherlands will be up against it in Wellington.
Both teams are fielding reduced rosters, with the Netherlands missing star Vivianne Miedema (knee) and the USWNT missing Mallory Swanson (knee), Becky Sauerbrunn (ankle), Catarina Macario (knee), Sam Mewis (knee), and Christen Press (knee).
But the US will be confident they can repeat the feat having won 14 and drawn one of their last 15 World Cup games, since losing to Japan in the final in 2011.
They’ve only ever lost one group game of the 25 they’ve played in this competition to boot, so the Netherlands will be up against it in Wellington.
The four-time world champions will be the favourites heading into the fixture after their 3-0 win over debutants Vietnam, but the scoreline isn’t expected to be as big against the Dutch.
Question marks will be around whether Andonovski will continue with Alex Morgan up front after her penalty miss against Vietnam, with Trinity Rodman an option to move more centrally from her home out on the left.
He is likely to continue with Morgan but the two-time World Cup winner will know her finishing must improve to keep the hungry young guns in the squad at bay.
Miedema’s country claimed a 1-0 victory over Portugal in their opener.
Portugal v Vietnam (5.30pm AEST)
Both of these Women’s World Cup debutants suffered defeats in their opening games and know that the best opportunity at claim a win in this tournament will come against each other.
Defeat will all but end one’s hopes of a shock qualification to the knockout rounds, with Portugal, who sit 17 places above Vietnam in the FIFA world rankings, the favourites for all three points.
Portugal are a tough team to break down defensively and although they only have one win in their last five games, have only conceded twice in their last four games.
Australia v Nigeria (8pm AEST)
It’s the big one for Australia, with the Matildas knowing that a win against Nigeria will guarantee them safe progress to the round of 16.
However, Tony Gustavsson will have to do it without some key players, with Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik both ruled out after suffering concussions in training in Wednesday.
They join Sam Kerr – who picked up a calf injury the day before the Matidas’ opener last week – and Kyah Simon on the sidelines for the game in Brisbane.
That Caitlin Foord is the only fit recognised striker available and it could cause a shift in formation for Gustavsson away from his more favoured 4-4-2, with Emily van Egmond or Alex Chidiac tipped to come into the midfield.
Nigeria held tournament heavyweights Canada to a goalless draw in their first game and are no slouches, with Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala capable of causing the Matildas all kinds of problems.
Players to watch
Trinity Rodman (USA)
Daughter of five-time NBA champion Dennis Rodman, Trinity Rodman is on track to usurp her father as the best athlete in the family.
After becoming the youngest player ever drafted to the NWSL at 18, Rodman has flourished and was the main benefactor of Mallory Swanson’s injury that ruled her out of the tournament.
She hasn’t looked back either, scoring both goals in a warm-up game against Wales before impressing on her FIFA Women’s World Cup™ debut against Vietnam.
Ana Borges (Portugal)
Former Chelsea star Ana Borges was one of Portugal’s stand-out performers in their FIFA Women’s World Cup™ debut last time out against the Netherlands.
She will need another impeccable game against Vietnam as the Selecao look to claim their first three points in the competition and make an unlikely dart for qualification for the knockout rounds.
Caitlin Foord (Australia)
Given the spate of injuries in the Matildas squad at the moment, Caitlin Foord has arguably never been more important for Australia.
With Sam Kerr, Kyah Simon and now Mary Fowler all out injured, Foord is the only fit centre forward left, meaning Australia’s hope of qualifying for the round of 16 at the earliest possible opportunity rests largely on her shoulders.
The likes of Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry will be crucial behind her after their impressive displays against Republic of Ireland, but they too will look to Foord to replicate her club form for her country.
Where to watch
Like every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, United States v Netherlands, Portugal v Vietnam, and Australia v Nigeria will all be shown live and on-demand on Optus Sport.
Live coverage begins from 10am (AEST) on Optus Sport with the United States v Netherlands, with live coverage running all the way through until after Australia v Nigeria.
Media Release – Optus Sport
Link to Optus Sport HERE
TV Central Optus Sport content HERE
