Women’s World Cup – Group B preview
There will be pressure on Australia and Canada to finish in the top two in Group B at the Women’s World Cup, but don’t discount the ability of African stars Nigeria and Republic of Ireland to spring a surprise.
GROUP B FIXTURES (times are SAST)
20 July Australia v Republic of Ireland 12:00
21 July Nigeria v Canada 04:30
26 July Canada v Republic of Ireland 14:00
27 July Australia v Nigeria 12:00
31 July Canada v Australia 12:00
31 July Republic of Ireland v Nigeria 12:00
Fifa WOMEN’S RANKINGS
7 – Canada
10 – Australia
22 – Republic of Ireland
40 – Nigeria
GROUP SUMMARY
Co-hosts Australia will likely be favourites in this pool despite the presence of Olympic champions Canada, while for Nigeria it will be an uphill battle against three very good teams.
Nigeria go into the tournament with high hopes under American Randy Waldrum, but against the backdrop of fights with their football association over bonuses and a general run of patchy form.
They have won their last three games, including 3-0 against co-hosts New Zealand, but before that lost six in a row and also were defeated on penalties by Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals last July.
“It’s been very good; camp has gone really well; the players are working really hard; the talent level is good. We are happy with what we are into now, so it’s been fun to watch,” Waldrum said of their preparations this week.
“There are a couple of knocks and a couple of injuries that concern me a little bit, but outside of that, they are healthy, so it’s all about their performances and how they play.”
There will be much expectation on the shoulders of Australia and their star forward Sam Kerr, one of the best players in the world. She is confident they can
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