Sweden meet tournament co-hosts, Australia, at Lang Park, Brisbane in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off.
Sweden enter this match looking to finish third at a Women’s World Cup for the fourth time in their history and in consecutive tournaments for the first time, whilst Australia are featuring in this play-off match for the first time in their history.
Team News
Sweden have a full squad available for selection after picking up no fresh injury concerns to report, following their dramatic semi-final loss to Spain.
Manager, Peter Gerhardsson could rotate his squad and give fringe players like Linda Sembrant, Olivia Schough and Madelen Janogy a run out.
Australia could welcome defender, Alanna Kennedy back into contention after she missed their semi-final defeat to England, due to illness.
Manager, Tony Gustavsson could rotate his squad and hand starts to fRinge players like Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Tameka Yallop and Cortnee Vine.
When is Kick-Off?
Sweden meet Australia at Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia, in the Third-Place play-off on Saturday 19 August at 9am UK Time, live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Sweden are unbeaten in three previous meetings against Australia at a World Cup (W2, D1), with both victories coming in a 3-1 result in 1999 and 2011 respectively before drew 1-1 in 2015.
- Australia are winless in five previous meetings against Sweden in major tournaments at World Cups and Olympics (D2, L3).
- Both teams have scored in all five previous meetings across all major international competitions.
- Sweden have won all three of their previous Third-Place play-off appearances at a Women’s World Cup.
- Australia are seeking to become the first host nation to register a top-three finish since USA finished third at 2003 Women’s World Cup – having replaced China as hosts due to SARS outbreak.
Prediction
Once again playing bridemaid in a fifth consecutive major competition, Sweden must get their heads up after a cruel semi-final defeat to Spain where they just lacked end product quality, despite defensively matching Spain’s high intensity play except for two late marking errors.
Australia meanwhile were outplayed by England in their semi-final with players like Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord nullified, yet this match is a chance to finish their home tournament on a high if they can quickly rediscover the spark which fired them to earlier wins over Canada and Denmark.
Sweden’s defence however is a resilient force which will be tough to break down but Australia will have to bide their time, yet Sweden have the upper hands at World Cups so I do feel like this could be a narrow result or go the distance.
Prediction: Sweden 1-1 Australia (Sweden win on penalties)
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