Match Preview: Australia determined to avoid group stage exit with Kerr’s Return
Review
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Canada Women
Australia Women
| Game Statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Yellow cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 0 | Shots on Goal | 0 |
| 0 | Saves | 0 |
| 0 | Corner Kick | 0 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| Fouls |
|
0 |
| SH |
|
0 |
| 0 |
|
Fouls |
| 0 |
|
SH |
Ball Possession
Game Timeline
Australia and Canada will battle it out for a place in the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup 2023 when they go head-to-head in Melbourne on Monday.
The tournament co-hosts occupy third place in Group B and are one point adrift of Canada, who currently sit in second position.
After being held to a goalless draw by Nigeria on Matchday one, Canada would have been concerned when they fell behind in the fourth minute of Thursday’s meeting with the Republic of Ireland.
Katie McCabe scored direct from a corner to give the Girls in Green the early advantage, but the Canucks managed to pull themselves level just before the break courtesy of a Megan Connolly own goal.
With momentum in their favour, Canada took the lead through Adriana Leon in the 53rd minute, and they managed to see out the remainder of the contest to claim their first victory of the tournament.
Having made an unbeaten start to their campaign, the Canucks are hoping to make it out of the group stage for the third consecutive World Cup.
There is still work to do, though, with Canada requiring at least a point to guarantee their place in the last 16, while defeat would leave them requiring an Ireland win in the group’s other match against Nigeria and a favourable swing in goal difference.
Australia’s home tournament got off to the perfect start with a narrow 1-0 win over Ireland, but the co-hosts were brought back down to earth by Nigeria on Matchday Two.
The Matildas took the lead through Emily van Egmond in first-half stoppage time, before Uchenna Kanu quickly restored parity to ensure that the two sides headed down the tunnel on level terms.
Nigeria took Australia by surprise in the second period, as they netted twice in seven minutes to establish a 3-1 lead, and although Alanna Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into additional time, it proved to be little too late.
With Australia a point adrift of Canada and Nigeria, they need to claim all three points on Monday if they want to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16 for the fifth consecutive World Cup.
If they were to draw against Canada, Tony Gustavsson’s side would need Ireland to beat Nigeria by a two-goal margin.
Team News
Kadiesha Buchanan will resume her central defensive partnership with Vanessa Gilles, while Jayde Riviere and Ashley Lawrence will operate as Canada’s two full-backs.
After returning from injury to play the duration of the win over Ireland, Chelsea’s Jessie Fleming will retain her place in midfield.
Christine Sinclair dropped out of the starting lineup on Thursday, but the world’s all-time leader in international goals could be recalled for the final group game.
As for Australia, Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has confirmed that she is available after missing the first two games through injury.
If Kerr is fit enough to start against Canada, Caitlin Foord could drop into the number 10 role, with Hayley Raso and Cortnee Vine operating as the two wingers.
Aivi Luik and Mary Fowler were ruled out of the defeat to Nigeria due to concussion, but they will provide Gustavsson with additional options off the bench for Monday’s encounter.
Quotes
“I said at the end, ‘It [the Republic of Ireland game] can be the making of us’. We wobbled in the first half, our bravery wasn’t there and I felt we played a little bit scared. I reminded them that we’re Olympic champions and that we’ve got to take a step forward and be brave and get after this, and it’s not going to be easy. The character, the quality, the experience that came about in the second half, that’s the type of performance that we need.”
Bev Priestman, Canada coach“I’ve enjoyed being on the other side and realising how important it is, the role you play from the bench. If anything, it’s given me a new perspective on this whole team sport and how it takes a whole team [to succeed]. I’ve done everything I can and no matter what happens, I know that I’ve given everything, not just in the last 10 days, but in the last four years. I’ve given everything to be here.”
Sam Kerr, Australia captain
Stats
- These two sides last met at the global finals in 2007, when Christine Sinclair netted in a 2-2 draw in Chengdu.
- Sinclair is aiming to become the first-ever player to net at six Women’s World Cups.
- Prior to this tournament, no host nation has ever failed to make it out of the group stage.
