Matchday four of the FIFA Women’s World Cup sees two nations who came close to glory four years ago in the hope of lifting the trophy in 2023.
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The Netherlands, who lost 2-0 to the United States in the 2019 final, will play their second Group E game against Portugal, who were taking part in the tournament for the first time, on Sunday.
Sweden lost to the Netherlands in the semi-finals four years ago before beating England in the fourth round of the play-offs. Sunday’s competition begins with a Group G match against a South African side aiming to win a World Cup game for the first time.
The third match comes in Group Six, where Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw and her Jamaican side are aiming for a surprising victory over France, who sit fifth in the world rankings and reached the quarter-finals four years ago.
Sweden vs South Africa
Groupe G | Wellington | 06h00 GMT | Bbc
Sweden reached the semi-finals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup and European Championship last summer, so they will be determined to qualify at least once this time around.
They are ranked third in the world and have appeared in every World Cup final and have lost just three group stage matches since 2003 – all of them against the United States.
Arsenal’s Stina Plakstenius has scored 28 goals for her country and will look to add to that against South Africa, who face a daunting task on Sunday.
South Africa are taking part in the Women’s World Cup for only the second time after failing to make it past the group stage in 2019, but have had a good tournament record in recent years, winning the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Thembi Kgatlana will be the key to South Africa. She scored her country’s first – and so far only – goal on the World Cup stage when they put Banana Baniana ahead of Spain at Le Havre in 2019.
Rachel Brown Fiennes Predictions: Seven of the eight quarter-finalists of the 2019 World Cup were European teams and it looks like this tournament could go the same way.
Five of the top six teams in the world are European, and Sweden is one of them.
We know how strong they are and it’s hard to get past them in this game, as well as who will come out of this group. South Africa may find it difficult to silence them. 3-0.
Basic statistics: Sweden have never won a World Cup, but they lost in the 2003 final and have finished third three times – in 1991, 2011 and 2019.
Pays-Bas vs Portugal
Group E | Dunedin 08:30 GMT | BBC
The Netherlands reached the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup – when they were beaten 2-0 by the United States – but have the difficult task of repeating the feat.
Andres Juncker’s side will be hoping to start their campaign with a win against Portugal, who will be making their debut at this stage.
However, they are without Vivian Miedema – one of the best strikers in the world – with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Portugal turned heads in their preparation for the World Cup when they lured European champions England in early July.
The hope for the neutrals is that this game will end up being similar to their Group C clash at Euro 2022. On that occasion, the Netherlands picked up a narrow win in a five-goal thriller.
Rachel Brown Fiennes Predictions: It’s a tough one. The Netherlands finished second in 2019, but their recent form is not good at all.
Portugal are one of the new players looking to impress and they could make a big statement here with a win.
But I don’t really see what’s going on. Portugal have a lot of attacking flair but they sometimes leave themselves open.
I think the Dutch will find a way to get a point, and also get out of the group with the USA as well. 1-1.
Basic statistics: None of the Netherlands’ 11 Women’s World Cup matches have ended goalless, while Portugal are one of eight teams making their debut this year, along with Haiti, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Vietnam and Zambia.
France vs Jamaica
Groupe F | Sidney | 11h00 GMT | TVI
France have been their worst enemy in recent tournaments as they struggled for unity under former coach Corine Deacon – but there is optimism they can finally end their wait for Women’s World Cup success.
Now managed by Hervé Renard, captain of Saudi Arabia’s surprise victory over Argentina, men’s world champions last year, they are among the favorites to win the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Captain Wendy Rennard, who is not related to the manager, is in her fourth World Cup final and her experience will be vital for the French women, while PSG midfielder Lorena Viser, 19, is an exciting prospect.
“Obviously France are in the top three or four teams in the world but our preparation has been good and we want to show the fight,” Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson said.
“We want to make our country proud and get something out of the game.”
Jamaica struggled to prepare for the World Cup with their players last month Expressing their “total disappointment” In the “lower” support of the country’s Football Association at the forefront of the Championship.
However, they count Shu in their ranks.
The 26-year-old became one of the best strikers in the Women’s Premier League for Manchester City last season, scoring 31 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions.
Rachel Brown Fiennes Predictions: I would expect Jamaica to explode out of the blocks, and they might give France a first scare here…but then it fades as the game progresses.
I still don’t think this French team has settled everything after a difficult few months off the pitch, but they are better than they were at the European Championships last year when they reached the semi-finals, so they will be dangerous. 2-1.
Basic statistics: France have reached at least the quarter-finals in their last three World Cup appearances, their best result being a fourth place in 2011.
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2023-07-23 00:18:29
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