Preview - Group B: Canada v Australia

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Preview - Group B: Canada v Australia

Melbourne: Australia will need laser-sharp focus when they meet Canada in their final FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match on Monday.

Buoyed by the return of Sam Kerr, Australia - who have three points and are one behind frontrunners Nigeria and Canada - can secure a place in the last-16 with a victory.
 
The co-hosts started their campaign with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland but were shocked 3-2 on Matchday Two by Nigeria.

Group A: Switzerland advance as New Zealand crash out

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group A: Switzerland advance as New Zealand crash out

Dunedin: Switzerland qualified for the last 16 of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 on Sunday as co-hosts New Zealand were eliminated.

The Swiss finished top of Group A thanks to a 0-0 draw with New Zealand in Dunedin, while Norway defeated the Philippines 6-0 in Auckland to overtake the co-hosts in the standings on goal difference.

Group A: Philippines undone by Norway power show

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group A: Philippines undone by Norway power show

Auckland: The Philippines’ fairytale adventure at their first FIFA Women’s World Cup came to an end following a 6-0 defeat to former champions Norway at Eden Park on Sunday.

Sophie Haug’s quick-fire brace and a rocket from Caroline Graham Hansen gave a dominant Norway a 3-0 half-time lead with the goals continuing to come after the break as Alicia Barker’s own-goal, Guro Reiten’s penalty, and Haug’s third underlined the margin of victory.

A red card for Sofia Harrison put an end to any unlikely comeback for the Philippines as Norway ultimately coasted into the Round of 16 and eliminated the Southeast Asian nation, who finished bottom of Group A. The European side will face either Japan or Spain in the Round of 16 on Saturday. 

Group H: Korea Republic on the brink after defeat to Morocco

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group H: Korea Republic on the brink after defeat to Morocco

Adelaide: Korea Republic’s involvement in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 was dealt a near fatal blow on Sunday as Colin Bell’s side slipped to a 1-0 loss against tournament debutants Morocco in Adelaide.

Ibtissam Jraidi’s sixth minute header earned the north Africans their first-ever win at a FIFA Women’s World Cup less than a week after suffering a 6-0 defeat against Germany and left the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ runners-up without a point after two matches in Group H.
 
Bell’s side will face Germany in their final game in Brisbane on Thursday with the Koreans only having a mathematical chance of meeting their pre-tournament target of qualifying for the knockout rounds for the second time in their history.

Group F: Jamaica bounce back with first win

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Group F: Jamaica bounce back with first win

Perth: Jamaica won a FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand match for the first time with a deserved 1-0 victory over debutants Panama on Saturday to close in on a place in the last 16.

Skipper Allyson Swaby headed in from a corner early in the second half to give Jamaica their first victory at a World Cup at the fifth attempt.
 
Having held France to a 0-0 draw in their opening match, the Reggae Girlz sit second in Group F with four points from two games, level on points with the French.
 
Jamaica face Brazil, beaten 2-1 by France on Saturday, on Wednesday knowing they only need a point to claim a landmark spot in the last 16.

Group F: France edge Brazil to boost hopes

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

Group F: France edge Brazil to boost hopes

Brisbane: Captain Wendie Renard struck a late winner as France kickstarted their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand campaign with a 2-1 win over Brazil in a heavyweight Group F clash in Brisbane on Saturday.

After a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Jamaica in their opening game, France defied the Brazilian team and most of the 49,378 crowd to secure three vital points ahead of their final group match against tournament debutants Panama.
 
The French, who controlled much of the game, took an early lead through veteran striker Eugenie Le Sommer.
 
Brazil hit back to equalise in the second half through Debinha, but Renard appeared at the back post to head in an 83rd-minute winner from a corner.

Group G: Five-star Sweden beat Italy to reach last 16

Sun, 30 Jul, 2023

Group G: Five-star Sweden beat Italy to reach last 16

Wellington: Towering defender Amanda Ilestedt scored twice with her head to help Sweden to a 5-0 defeat of Italy on Saturday and a berth in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand last 16.

A tight contest was blown open in a seven-minute spell late in the first half when the third-ranked Swedes found the net three times, through Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius.
 
Arsenal centre-back Ilestedt bagged her second soon after the interval to give her three goals for the tournament - all headers from corners - including a late match-winner in their opening 2-1 defeat of South Africa.
 
Substitute Rebecka Blomqvist rounded out the rout in stoppage time in front of nearly 30,000 in Wellington.

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Sat, 29 Jul, 2023

#AsianQualifiers draw - What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

Kuala Lumpur: The Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ was conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.