Focus, unity driving Japan

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Focus, unity driving Japan

Wellington: Japan's polished performances have changed their status from darkhorses to potential FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 winners, a shift which head coach Futushi Ikeda has attributed to his players' determination to excel. 

A perfect group stage campaign was followed by an impressive 3-1 win over Norway in the Round of 16 to set up a quarter-final against Sweden in Auckland on Friday. 

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Ikeda produces another Nadeshiko masterpiece

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Ikeda produces another Nadeshiko masterpiece

Wellington: Futoshi Ikeda did it again as Japan outfoxed Norway to advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Saturday.

Just as he did in the the emphatic group stage win over Spain, Ikeda's ability to get his players to change tactics paid off handsomely at the Wellington Regional Stadium as the Nadeshiko outwitted Norway 3-1 to set up a meeting with either Sweden or defending champions the United States in Auckland on Friday. 

Japan will be tough to beat: Norway coach

Sat, 05 Aug, 2023

Japan will be tough to beat: Norway coach

Wellington: Norway head coach Hege Riise said Japan will be hard to beat at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 after the 2011 champions powered into the quarter-finals on Saturday with a 3-1 win.

Japan will face either defending champions the United States or Sweden in the last eight after outplaying Norway in Wellington.

Brilliant Bonmati emerges as Spain's leader

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Brilliant Bonmati emerges as Spain's leader

Auckland: Doubts were raised about Spain's ability to go far at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023  without a fully fit Alexia Putellas, but Aitana Bonmati's starring role in their 5-1 demolition of Switzerland showed that they are not over-reliant on the current Ballon d'Or.

By the time Putellas came off the bench in the 77th minute on Saturday, the last-16 tie at Eden Park in Auckland was already over, Bonmati having scored two goals and set up two more in a masterful display.
 
Spain are in a Women's World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history despite the fact Putellas has so far been used sparingly in New Zealand.

Preview - R16: Australia v Denmark

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Preview - R16: Australia v Denmark

Sydney: Head coach Tony Gustavsson is confident Australia can overcome Denmark in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 clash at Stadium Australia on Monday. 

Buoyed by the return of talismanic forward Sam Kerr, Gustavsson believes Australia have the determination to beat a Danish side who finished second in Group D after wins against Asian champions China PR and Haiti following their defeat against European champions England.

Preview - R16: England v Nigeria

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Preview - R16: England v Nigeria

Brisbane: Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum believes knocking European champions England out of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 would be "transformational" for the sport in the country as the sides prepare to meet in the last 16 on Monday.

The Super Falcons have appeared at every Women's World Cup going back to the inaugural edition in 1991 but their build-up to this year's tournament was overshadowed by a row with their national federation over bonuses.
 
They had even threatened to boycott their opening game but put that behind them to draw with Olympic champions Canada and then beat co-hosts Australia.
 
A draw with the Republic of Ireland then ensured that they qualified for the last 16 at the expense of Canada and set up a clash with strongly-fancied England in Brisbane.

Sweden stun USA to seal q-final berth

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Sweden stun USA to seal q-final berth

Melbourne: Sweden stunned the United States 5-4 in a sudden-death penalty shootout on Sunday to surge into the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final against Japan and consign the defending champions to their earliest-ever exit.

The title-holders dominated the opening 90 minutes but a breakthrough proved elusive with Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic making some startling saves to keep her side alive. With the deadlock remaining after extra-time it went to penalties in Melbourne – and the tension went up another notch.
 
Sweden's Nathalie Bjorn was the first to miss, skying high, only for Megan Rapinoe to do the same. Rebecka Blomqvist's effort was saved, again putting the USA in the driving seat, only for Sophia Smith to blast wide.
 
When Kelley O'Hara hit the post, it was all down to Sweden's Lina Hurtig, who made sure – but only after VAR ruled her kick had crossed the line.

Netherlands end South Africa's dream run

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Netherlands end South Africa's dream run

Sydney: The Netherlands set up a heavyweight FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-final with Spain after ending South Africa's historic run with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

The 2019 runners-up were efficient rather than scintillating in front of 40,000 in Sydney to ensure they would not become the latest victim of a shock at the tournament.
 
Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team ranked 45 places below them and featuring in the knockout rounds for the first time.
 
South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to gift the Dutch a second.