Six Sides Already Through in Women’s World Cup

by Kara McDermott

Group play in the Women’s World Cup has turned the corner and is now down the home stretch towards the quarterfinals this weekend.

Six teams have guaranteed their advancement, leaving just two spots available: France and Germany from Group A, Japan from B, USA and Sweden from C, and Brazil from D.

After the second round of group play France and Japan joined the USA for highest goal differential honors. They both tallied 4-0 victories over Canada and Mexico, respectively, and USA as expected beat Colombia 3-0. The best defensive records belong to France, USA, Sweden, and Brazil who have yet to be scored on in this tournament.

The two most contentious matches will both take place on Wednesday. The first will be at 9:00 a.m. PST between Australia and Norway from Group D. It will decide the advancement of one or the other. Due to their better goal differential, Australia needs just a tie or a win to go through.

Then at 11:45 a.m. PST, USA will take on Sweden to finish Group C. Neither side has been scored on yet and the game will decide top seed from Group C. The Americans come in with a few advantages including a better goal differential and a Swedish coach of their own that understands the opposing style of play. Sweden will also have to contend with not having their captain, Caroline Seger, who received a yellow card in both of their other two matches making her ineligible to play against the US. But Sweden does have the confidence of knowing they have the ability to beat the favored Americans, having done so just this last January.

Below is a preview of the last group play matches.

GROUP A – Tuesday, July 5

France vs. Germany: This match between the two top teams from their group will decide the top seed going into the quarterfinals. A tie or better will work in France’s favor due to their larger goal differential.

Canada vs. Nigeria: Neither of these teams have won a game yet, and will be looking to go back to their country with a consolation victory. Nigeria has yet to score at all.

GROUP B – Tuesday, July 5

Japan vs. England: Once again, this is a match-up of the two top teams from the group. However, England has not quite guaranteed their advancement. A win or tie for them will squash any last remaining hopes of the Mexican side, a win will allow them to overtake Japan for the top spot.

Mexico vs. New Zealand: Mexico will be after a Hail Mary attempt for advancement. They need England to lose, and they themselves will have to beat New Zealand by a large margin to perform a Group B miracle.

GROUP C – Wednesday, July 6

Korea DPR vs. Colombia: Korea have been the surprise underachievers of the tournament so far. They were runners-up in the Asian Cup last year, losing to Australia on penalty kicks, and were predicted to advance with the US from Group C. They will be looking for a consolation victory while the Colombians will be hoping to at least take away a goal from their first appearance at the World Cup.

GROUP D – Wednesday, July 6

Equatorial Guinea vs. Brazil: The fate of both teams is decided. To add some excitement, some viewers might opt to play a drinking game for each time Bruna’s egregious hand ball against Australia is mentioned by the commentators.

Kara McDermott also writes for her blog, Waving the Rave. (www.wavingrave.wordpress.com)