Sweden's Musovic praises teammates, devastated Rapinoe heads home

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Sweden's Musovic praises teammates, devastated Rapinoe heads home

Melbourne: Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic hailed her teammates after Sweden edged the United States on penalties to advance to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 quarter-finals on Sunday. 

The defending champions found Musovic a stumbling block in the shoot-out following a goalless stalemate over 120 minutes, with Sweden to face Japan in Auckland on Friday. 

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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. 

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.

Jonker admits relief after Netherlands survive South Africa scare

Mon, 07 Aug, 2023

Jonker admits relief after Netherlands survive South Africa scare

Sydney: Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker did not hide his relief after side avoided becoming the latest to be on the end of a FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 shock on Sunday.

The 2019 runners-up defeated South Africa 2-0 in their Round of 16 tie but had goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to thank for keeping the African champions at bay in the first half.
 
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 give the Dutch a second.

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.