Preview for day eight of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as Group E takes centre stage with a blockbuster clash.
In an unusual move instead of saving the headline match for later in the day’s schedule, day nine will kick off with a blockbuster rematch of the 2019 Final as USA face Netherlands in a crunch Group E showdown.
Portugal then take on Vietnam as both teams seek to keep their World Cup dreams alive, whilst Australia meet Nigeria across in Group B.
Group E – USA vs Netherlands
Once the draw was made for this tournament, no other match across the Group Stage stood out more than this one with the 2019 finalists now set to do battle in a pivotal encounter which could determine who tops Group E.
Although USA are reigning champions and enjoyed a dominant starting win over Vietnam, they weren’t exactly clinical with just three goals from 28 shots – of which 21 shots were off target, so huge improvement will be required in their end product because the Netherlands are a different beast.
Speaking of the Dutch, they played a brilliant possession based game to beat Portugal with a clinical set piece, which actually proved to be their biggest asset in terms of creating chances across the game compared to open play which could suit them here.
With that in mind, I do expect Netherlands to go defensive and look to let the USA dominate whilst soaking up the pressure and threaten from set pieces, especially if the Americans’ end product is as sloppy as it was against Vietnam.
You however can’t help but feel that USA will have the edge if they don’t repeat their wasteful finishing, otherwise this could be a score draw because the Dutch defence does look difficult to break down as Portugal discovered.
Prediction: USA 1-1 Netherlands
Result: USA 1-1 Netherlands
Group E – Portugal vs Vietnam
After suffering a narrow loss to the Netherlands in which they delivered a resolute defensive effort despite lacking quality up front, Portugal certainly should be smelling goals here if they can up their attacking edge and start finding goals heading into a tricky final group match against USA.
Vietnam meanwhile lacked any real bite against USA with no shots attempted so they have to treat this game as a reset and bring their best attack, otherwise this could be another stubborn defensive showing to try and snatch a point to offer faint qualification hopes ahead of their final group game.
First goal therefore could well be decisive here after two underwhelming attacks in their opening fixtures, of which I do think Portugal are the more likely team to get the win if they can just show more attacking quality.
Prediction: Portugal 1-0 Vietnam
Result: Portugal 2-0 Vietnam
Group B – Australia vs Nigeria
Sat on the brink of qualification after snatching a gutsy opening day win over Republic of Ireland, Australia can take heart from how they coped without Sam Kerr up front with a strong attacking press despite lacking much end product in open play.
Nigeria meanwhile delivered a resolute defensive display to hold Canada despite losing Deborah Abiodun to a red card, but they’re going to have to show more clinical attacking after converting just one of 11 shots onto target last time out.
Australia though should be more settled now that the nerves of their opening match as co-hosts are out of the way, so I do expect them to come out fighting like they did and possibly snatch another scrappy win because Nigeria won’t make this game easy.
Prediction: Australia 1-0 Nigeria
Result: Australia 2-3 Nigeria