MELBOURNE-Co-hosts Australia surged into the Girls’s World Cup final 16 on Monday with Hayley Raso scoring twice in a 4-Zero battering of Canada as Nigeria joined them within the knockout section.
Olympic champions Canada have been dumped out by the hands of a fired-up Australian crew who knew they needed to win in Melbourne to progress. They did it in fashion, their huge victory placing them by means of as Group B winners, that means they may most likely keep away from European champions England within the subsequent spherical. That’s more likely to fall on Nigeria, who have been held 0-Zero by already eradicated Eire in Brisbane and completed second.
Tony Gustavsson’s Australian crew got here into the conflict with Canada underneath enormous strain following a shocking 3-2 loss to Nigeria that left their event hopes on a knife-edge. However fairly than wilt, the Matildas thrived, to the delight of a raucous 27,706 followers who have been kicking each ball.
Star striker Sam Kerr, who missed Australia’s first two video games with a calf damage, declared herself match however remained on the bench as her team-mates greater than compensated for her. Actual Madrid’s Raso put them forward within the ninth minute, then made it two half an hour later with a close-range tap-in.
A shellshocked Canada made 4 modifications at half-time as coach Bev Priestman attemptedto salvage their World Cup. However the comeback by no means materialised and Mary Fowler bagged Australia’s third from a counter-attack earlier than Steph Catley sealed victory with an injury-time penalty.
Japan despatched a World Cup warning with a scientific 4-Zero thrashing of Spain. The 2011 champions have been 3-Zero up by half-time in Wellington as they romped to a victory that allowed them to complete high of Group C and arrange a last-16 tie in opposition to Norway. Hinata Miyazawa scored twice both facet of a Riko Ueki objective, with Mina Tanaka wrapping up a shocking win late on.
Their first victory in 5 makes an attempt over Spain was so complete it suggests 11th-ranked Japan could also be contenders to win the event. They end the group stage with 11 objectives, greater than some other crew, whereas they’re but to concede. Miyazawa, who was substituted at half-time, can also be now the event’s main scorer with 4 objectives.
Spain, who like Japan had already certified for the final 16 earlier than this recreation, end as runners-up of their group and now play Switzerland in Auckland on Saturday. Within the different Group C recreation, Zambia gained a Girls’s World Cup match for the primary time with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica as they ended their event on a excessive.
On Tuesday america and England will look to seal their last-16 spots. The Individuals are pursuing a 3rd World Cup title in a row however have been removed from their finest and have been held 1-1 by the Netherlands final day trip. The USA might have a giant win to complete on high of Group E forward of the Netherlands, however a shock defeat would nearly definitely finish their event.
The Dutch face already eradicated Vietnam within the different match within the group. Additionally on Tuesday, England solely want a draw in opposition to China to make sure of going by means of however will likely be with out key midfielder Keira Walsh as a consequence of a knee damage.
Denmark, who’re in pole place to get out of Group D with England, face Haiti. If England high thegroup they may face Nigeria whereas the crew that comes second in Group D meets Australia.