The 2023 Girls’s World Cup is nicely underway, with New Zealand and Australia kicking off their campaigns off with wins on house soil in an action-packed opening day.
These wins imply that the co-hosts are high of their respective teams, however may the standings change on Friday?
Switzerland face debutants the Philippines with the hope of usurping New Zealand on the high of Group A, whereas reigning Olympic champions Canada tackle Nigeria with each groups aiming to interchange the Matildas in Group B.
There may be additionally an opportunity that we may see the primary main upset of the event as Group C begins when Spain face underdogs Costa Rica.
Nigeria v Canada
Group B | Melbourne | 03:30 BST | BBC
After Australia kicked off proceedings in Group B with a win over the Republic of Eire, Nigeria and Canada are up subsequent, competing of their ninth and eighth World Cup finals, respectively.
Enjoying in her sixth event, Canada’s veteran captain Christine Sinclair stated her aspect shouldn’t be underestimated this summer season, including that Canada have been “missed” earlier than they went on to win the gold medal at Tokyo 2020.
“We are able to beat any group on this planet. It is contagious [winning], you wish to do it once more and it is simply motivated us to show to the world what we are able to do once more,” the 40-year-old stated.
“This group is filled with rock stars.”
Each Canada and the Tremendous Falcons have had a disruptive 12 months within the build-up to this summer season’s World Cup. Canadian gamers threatened to strike over pay fairness issues and a scarcity of funding, whereas the Nigerian group threatened to boycott their opening sport.
Regardless of this, Nigeria ahead Toni Payne says followers can anticipate to see a “tremendous united group” who’ve “all the boldness” to defeat the reigning Olympic champions in Melbourne.
Rachel Brown-Finnis’ prediction: This will likely be shut, however Canada have gotten extra expertise of their group and I feel that can give them the sting. 1-2.
Key stat: Nigeria are unbeaten of their earlier two conferences with Canada on the Girls’s World Cup, profitable the newest sport 1-0 in 2011.
Philippines v Switzerland
Group A | Dunedin | 06:00 BST | ITV
The Philippines’ journey to this summer season’s event has been nothing wanting “miraculous”, says supervisor Alen Stajcic, who’s main the nation to it is first ever World Cup – males’s or ladies’s.
The Australian coach says the world is “100 steps forward” of the Philippines for girls’s soccer and that his aspect must “make their very own luck” in New Zealand.
“It has been a meteoric rise for the group,” Stajcic stated.
“The problem for us is to in some way keep and maintain that enchancment, not be proud of the place we acquired to.”
The Forty sixth-ranked group are up in opposition to Switzerland, who, regardless of having a squad plagued by gamers who ply their commerce for a few of Europe’s high groups, have solely made one prior look within the World Cup finals, doing so again in 2015.
Rachel Brown-Finnis’ prediction: I am unable to see past a Switzerland win right here, however they aren’t notably free-scoring and the Philippines may make it tough for them. 0-1.
Key stat: The Philippines are considered one of eight groups making their debut on the Girls’s World Cup this 12 months – and that is the first-ever assembly between the 2 nations.
Spain v Costa Rica
Group C | Wellington | 08:30 BST | BBC
Like Canada and Nigeria, Spain are one other group who’ve skilled a turbulent build-up interval to this World Cup, following a dispute between 15 gamers and supervisor Jorge Vilda.
Three of the 15 gamers – Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati and Ona Batlle – have been recalled after being frozen out of the nationwide set-up, and, with the return of back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas from harm, Spain may be thought of as real contenders for the trophy.
“We’ve gamers who’re recognised as the very best on this planet,” Vilda stated in his pre-match press-conference.
“We’re nicely conscious that there are excessive expectations as to what we are able to do on the sphere.
“In the long run, that is a privilege and further motivation for us.”
Costa Rica, ranked 30 locations decrease than Spain, will likely be hoping for a repeat of their opening sport of their solely earlier Girls’s World Cup look in 2015, once they held the Spaniards to a 1-1 draw.
Rachel Brown-Finnis’ prediction: Costa Rica held Spain of their opening sport on the 2015 World Cup however I am unable to see them getting something out of them this time. Spain’s goal is to high this group so they are going to wish to put down an early marker. I can see them doing that by scoring just a few objectives. 4-0
Key stat: Solely Canada (63.3%) had a greater possession proportion than Spain (61.2%) throughout the Girls’s World Cup in 2019.