Co-hosts Australia need to beat Canada on Monday or danger an unthinkable exit from the Ladies’s World Cup within the first spherical, whereas former champions Japan tackle Spain with high spot of their group on the road. Australia are sweating on the health of star ahead and captain Sam Kerr for the Group B sport towards Canada in Melbourne which begins at 1000 GMT and the place solely a win will assure them a spot within the final 16. Kerr has missed the Matildas’ two matches thus far, during which they beat the Republic of Eire 1-0 however then suffered a shock 3-2 defeat towards Nigeria.
She has declared herself obtainable after a calf damage however it’s unsure how a lot of an element she is going to play towards the Olympic champions.
“Everybody concerned in sport is aware of that with calf accidents it is one factor that you simply’re obtainable, however there’s additionally danger while you come again from a muscle damage,” mentioned Australia coach Tony Gustavsson forward of the sport.
Australia are some extent behind each Canada and Nigeria, and a draw may solely be sufficient for the co-hosts to undergo ought to the Nigerians lose to Eire in Brisbane on the identical time.
In any other case they should win to keep away from struggling the identical destiny as New Zealand and being eradicated from their house World Cup within the first spherical.
A draw will do for Canada, whose coach Bev Priestman was not specializing in Kerr’s health.
“We have spoken about what it takes to beat Australia as a result of Australia isn’t just Sam Kerr,” she mentioned.
After gorgeous Australia of their final sport, Nigeria’s Tremendous Falcons want only a level towards the already-eliminated Irish to undergo to the knockout part.
Earlier than these video games, the finale to Group C sees already-qualified Japan and Spain battle it out for high spot in Wellington (0700 GMT).
Spain, that includes Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, lead the group on aim distinction from the 2011 World Cup winners, that means Japan have to win to complete high.
Whoever tops Group C will keep in Wellington for a last-16 tie on Saturday towards Norway, whereas the runners-up will head north to Auckland to face Switzerland the identical day.
Colombia stun Germany
The Swiss secured first place in Group A on Sunday with a 0-0 draw towards New Zealand because the co-hosts have been eradicated on aim distinction by Norway, who hammered the Philippines 6-0.
Lots of the New Zealand gamers have been distraught on the finish.
“There are plenty of tears on the market, however they need to be so proud to complete on 4 factors,” captain Ali Riley mentioned.
A 97th-minute header from Manuela Vanegas gave Colombia a surprising 2-1 win over Germany in Sydney in Group H.
Germany smashed Morocco 6-0 of their opener to underline why they have been among the many pre-tournament favourites, together with Spain and England, to grab the crown from holders the USA.
However they got here crashing again all the way down to earth by the hands of a Colombia facet impressed by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo and roared on by nearly all of a rowdy 40,000 crowd.
Caicedo scored an excellent opener to place Colombia forward, however Germany thought they’d salvaged some extent within the 89th minute when skipper Alexandra Popp levelled from the penalty spot.
Nonetheless, Vanegas popped as much as head house from shut vary and put Colombia on the verge of the final 16.
“Germany is a world energy, that is a actuality, however Colombia has been making nice strides and at present Colombia is a world energy,” mentioned the defender Vanegas.
“I dreamed of scoring a aim in a World Cup, I knew it was going to return and I made a decision to do it for at present’s sport.”
Morocco received a Ladies’s World Cup match for the primary time after Ibtissam Jraidi struck early to present them a 1-0 victory over South Korea.
Going into the final spherical of group matches, Colombia are high of Group H on six factors, Germany and Morocco have three and South Korea have zero.
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