Mai: Vietnam players did their best

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Mai: Vietnam players did their best

Auckland: There was not to be a FIFA Women's World Cup winning debut for Vietnam but head coach Mai Duc Chung was more than satisfied with the performance of his players against the United States on Saturday.

The defending champions were the overwhelming favourites going into the Group E tie at Eden Park but were instead made to work hard for a 3-0 win.
 
Sophia Smith scored twice with Lindsey Horan netting the third as the United States kicked off their bid for a fifth world title.

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Group E: Resolute Vietnam make United States work hard

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group E: Resolute Vietnam make United States work hard

Auckland: Vietnam produced a steely performance as defending champions the United States were made to work hard for a 3-0 win in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E tie at Eden Park on Saturday. 

Tournament debutants Vietnam frustrated the four-time champions with their disciplined and resolute defending and will look forward to their remaining matches with confidence. 

Group D: China PR suffer late heartbreak against Denmark

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group D: China PR suffer late heartbreak against Denmark

Perth: Despite their best efforts, Asian champions China PR were left to rue their missed chances in a 1-0 defeat against Denmark in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D opener at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

Having reached the round of 16 last time out in 2019, China PR were facing a Denmark team returning to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007, with the two teams separated by just one place in the Danes’ favour in the most recent FIFA rankings.

Group D: England edge plucky Haiti

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group D: England edge plucky Haiti

Brisbane: A Georgia Stanway penalty gave European champions England a scrappy 1-0 win over Haiti to begin their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 title bid in unconvincing fashion on Saturday.

Played in front of over 44,000 fans at Brisbane Stadium, most of whom were supporting the English, Stanway's 29th-minute penalty proved to be enough to just about see off a gutsy Haitian side.
 
England went into the match as firm favourites over Haiti, who are playing in their first World Cup.
 
But despite dominating territory and possession at times, the Lionesses struggled to put Haiti away and had to rely on some late brilliance from goalkeeper Mary Earps to secure all three points.

Group C: Dominant Japan overwhelm debutants Zambia

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group C: Dominant Japan overwhelm debutants Zambia

Hamilton: A dominant display from Japan saw them run riot in a 5-0 victory against debutants Zambia in their first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

The 2011 World Cup champions made their intentions clear from the start with wave after wave of attacks on the Zambian goal in the early proceedings.

Stajcic hails resilient Filipinas

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Stajcic hails resilient Filipinas

Dunedin: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic applauded his players for their fighting performance in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 opener on Friday.

Appearing at this stage for the first time, the Southeast Asian side held their own against a strong Switzerland team who had to work hard for their 2-0 win at the Dunedin Stadium.
 
Stajcic’s side put on a performance that was organised, committed and frustrated Switzerland for long spells until Ramona Bachmann’s first-half penalty gave the European side the lead. Seraina Piubel doubled the advantage on 64 minutes to see La Nati take all three points and claim an early lead at the top of Group A.

Gustavsson applauds gritty Matildas

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Gustavsson applauds gritty Matildas

Sydney: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised his team’s mental resilience after kicking off their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Group B rivals the Republic of Ireland on Thursday despite the absence of captain Sam Kerr due to injury.

Chelsea striker Kerr was left out of the starting line-up for the Matildas’ tournament debut after sustaining a calf strain on Wednesday, but Steph Catley’s 52nd minute penalty was enough to earn the tournament co-hosts their first three points of the competition.