Women's World Cup Group C guide: Spain and Japan favourites to advance
Spain
Goalkeepers: Cata Coll (Barcelona), Misa Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Enith Salon (Valencia).
Defenders: Ivana Andres (Real Madrid), Ona Batlle (Barcelona), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Laia Codina (Barcelona), Rocio Galvez (Real Madrid), Oihane Hernandez (Athletic Bilbao), Irene Paredes (Barcelona).
Midfielders: Teresa Abelleira (Real Madrid), Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona), Irene Guerrero (Atletico Madrid), Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca), Maria Perez (Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona), Claudia Zornoza (Real Madrid).
Forwards: Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona), Marta Cardona (Atletico Madrid), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid), Esther Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Eva Navarro (Atletico Madrid), Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona).
Coach: Jorge Vilda.
Vilda is still in charge despite 15 players writing to the Spanish Federation saying they would refuse to play unless he was removed. After being supported by his bosses he’s even selected three of those players in a bid to unite the squad. Will that risk work out?
World ranking: 6.
Star player: Alexia Putellas.
Barcelona’s back-to-back Ballon D’Or winner is potentially the best player in the world but, having had ACL surgery, will she be able to show it in Australia and New Zealand?
One to watch: Jennifer Hermoso.
The experienced striker could hit the 100-cap mark at the World Cup and is the team’s all-time top scorer, closing in on 50 goals.
Reasons to be cheerful: There is real quality in the squad with a Barcelona backbone; and Spain played well in the Euros last year, making the quarter-finals.
Cause for concern: The lack of unity in the squad has to be an issue. Surely things are still festering.
Verdict: Very hard to predict how this Spain cope if put under pressure.
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