Clinical Japan please Ikeda

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Clinical Japan please Ikeda

Hamilton: Japan's polished performance in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C tie against Zambia on Saturday was a case of mission accomplished, said head coach Futoshi Ikeda.

The 2011 world champions took the lead through Hinata Miyazawa two minutes before the break and then turned on the style in the second half with four more goals to surge to the top of the Group C standings with Ikeda saying the three points were a must in their bid to advance to the knockout stage. 

Group C: Dominant Japan overwhelm debutants Zambia

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group C: Dominant Japan overwhelm debutants Zambia

Hamilton: A dominant display from Japan saw them run riot in a 5-0 victory against debutants Zambia in their first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

The 2011 World Cup champions made their intentions clear from the start with wave after wave of attacks on the Zambian goal in the early proceedings.

Mai: Vietnam players did their best

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Mai: Vietnam players did their best

Auckland: There was not to be a FIFA Women's World Cup winning debut for Vietnam but head coach Mai Duc Chung was more than satisfied with the performance of his players against the United States on Saturday.

The defending champions were the overwhelming favourites going into the Group E tie at Eden Park but were instead made to work hard for a 3-0 win.
 
Sophia Smith scored twice with Lindsey Horan netting the third as the United States kicked off their bid for a fifth world title.

Group D: China PR suffer late heartbreak against Denmark

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Group D: China PR suffer late heartbreak against Denmark

Perth: Despite their best efforts, Asian champions China PR were left to rue their missed chances in a 1-0 defeat against Denmark in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D opener at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

Having reached the round of 16 last time out in 2019, China PR were facing a Denmark team returning to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2007, with the two teams separated by just one place in the Danes’ favour in the most recent FIFA rankings.

Stajcic hails resilient Filipinas

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Stajcic hails resilient Filipinas

Dunedin: Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic applauded his players for their fighting performance in their FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 opener on Friday.

Appearing at this stage for the first time, the Southeast Asian side held their own against a strong Switzerland team who had to work hard for their 2-0 win at the Dunedin Stadium.
 
Stajcic’s side put on a performance that was organised, committed and frustrated Switzerland for long spells until Ramona Bachmann’s first-half penalty gave the European side the lead. Seraina Piubel doubled the advantage on 64 minutes to see La Nati take all three points and claim an early lead at the top of Group A.

Gustavsson applauds gritty Matildas

Sat, 22 Jul, 2023

Gustavsson applauds gritty Matildas

Sydney: Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson praised his team’s mental resilience after kicking off their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Group B rivals the Republic of Ireland on Thursday despite the absence of captain Sam Kerr due to injury.

Chelsea striker Kerr was left out of the starting line-up for the Matildas’ tournament debut after sustaining a calf strain on Wednesday, but Steph Catley’s 52nd minute penalty was enough to earn the tournament co-hosts their first three points of the competition.