Wiegman demands more ruthless England after narrow Haiti win

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Wiegman demands more ruthless England after narrow Haiti win

Brisbane: Sarina Wiegman challenged her England side to be more ruthless after the European champions underwhelmed in a 1-0 win over Haiti to start their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D campaign on Saturday.

England are expected to be the main challengers to holders the United States but they looked anything but champions as they laboured to a narrow win over the World Cup debutants in Brisbane.

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Clinical Japan please Ikeda

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Clinical Japan please Ikeda

Hamilton: Japan's polished performance in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C tie against Zambia on Saturday was a case of mission accomplished, said head coach Futoshi Ikeda.

The 2011 world champions took the lead through Hinata Miyazawa two minutes before the break and then turned on the style in the second half with four more goals to surge to the top of the Group C standings with Ikeda saying the three points were a must in their bid to advance to the knockout stage. 

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.

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.