Preview of day three at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as Groups D and E commence, whilst 2015 winners, Japan get their campaign in Group C underway.
Reigning world champions, USA kick off proceedings on day three with a Group E clash against Vietnam who will be hoping to cause a shock, before Japan collide with Zambia in Group D as the 2011 winners look to avoid a surprise defeat to the African debutants.
Attention then switches to Group D as European champions, England get that particular group underway against Haiti, before Denmark meet China in a blockbuster day of action across three groups.
Group E – USA vs Vietnam
Once again considered as hot favourites, reigning champions – USA will certainly be relishing this chance to kick-start their title defence in style against relatively easy opposition.
The Americans however enter this tournament under Vlatko Andonovski following Jill Ellis’ departure in 2019, who will be keen to deliver success at his first World Cup after having only managed Bronze Medal at 2020 Olympics amidst a period of transition in terms of player talent.
Last autumn meanwhile saw the USA hit a blip with surprise defeats to England, Spain and Germany from which they’ve recovered and are unbeaten since November 2022, plus have conceded just one goal so far in 2023 underlining their serious quality.
Vietnam meanwhile are making their first appearance at the World Cup and certainly would of hoped for an easier opening match, because I just can’t see them getting anything here and a brutal 9-0 friendly loss to Spain is a tough result to come into this game on.
The question therefore is a case of just how many goals can USA score because I am expecting an one-sided contest from the get-go.
Prediction: USA 5-0 Vietnam
Result: USA 3-0 Vietnam
Group C – Zambia vs Japan
Tournament debutants, Zambia enter this match as underdogs but they do have the firepower to spring surprises as Germany discovered in their final warm-up friendly, with Barbra Banda looking their biggest threat if she is allowed a comfortable look upon goal.
Zambia’s defence though is vulnerable which is something that Japan should look to target with their fast-paced possession-based style complete with fluid movement and passes, especially if their transitional yet experienced team can produce their best game despite just one player being over 30 years-old.
In fact, I do expect this game to potentially be scrappy if Zambia can dig in defensively whilst showcasing their firepower but Japan are former champions, which could well be the difference despite featuring just one former winner in their squad – Saki Kumagai.
Prediction: Zambia 1-2 Japan
Result: Zambia 0-5 Japan
Group D – England vs Haiti
In an unique position of entering a World Cup as reigning European champions for the first time, all eyes will be on England given their recent slump with no wins in their last four matches but I do expect them to produce an immediate warning that they are ready to mount a serious title challenge to become world champions.
Their first task however is to sort out their end product after failing to score in their last three matches, whilst also overcoming the absence of key players like Beth Mead and Leah Williamson which will provide a mental test the deeper they get into the tournament.
Haiti meanwhile are an unknown quantity as they make their World Cup bow so England can’t afford to underestimate them with difficult tests against Denmark and China to come, yet Haiti have scored in all six matches this season but kept only two clean sheets
With that in mind, this might not end up being the easy opener that England players, staff and fans might imagine but I do fancy the Lionesses to start with a win somehow.
Prediction: England 3-1 Haiti
Result: England 1-0 Haiti
Group D – Denmark vs China
With many expecting England to advance to the knockout stages, this clash does feel like an early six-pointer decider to determine who could also qualify, with their results directly against England likely to prove crucial to deciding which of Denmark or China progress.
Denmark though shouldn’t be fazed by the difficulty of this group after enduring a tricky experience at this stage of the UEFA Women’s Euros, in which they were eliminated at the expense of Germany and Spain, of which I imagine will give them belief and knowledge to try and avoid a repeat fate 12 months later.
The Danes also play a strong possession-based style but with the versatility to switch to a counter-attacking style if necessary, in-turn creating an issue for China in terms of how to tactically handle players like Pernille Harder and Sanne Troelsgaard.
China though are yet to lose to Denmark at a World Cup during the Group Stage – having taken two wins and one draw from three previous high-scoring meetings, but European teams are now more high-quality than China whose narrow 4-4-2 style will be seriously tested in this game.
With that in mind, I do expect tactics to play a key role in the outcome of this match but Denmark certainly won’t be any pushovers if can get Harder in and around the box in goal-scoring positions.
Prediction: Denmark 2-1 China
Result: Denmark 1-0 China
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