Match Preview: Zambia battles Costa Rica for pride in Waikato
Review
Waikato Stadium
Costa Rica Women
Zambia 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
Costa Rica’s second Women’s World Cup campaign will end in a group-stage exit after failing to trouble Spain and Japan in their first two matches.
A 3-0 defeat to La Roja on Matchday One was followed by a 2-0 loss to Japan on Wednesday, leaving Costa Rica in third place and with no chance of making it to the knockout rounds.
After picking up two points in their only previous appearance at the Women’s World Cup in 2015, Costa Rica are still searching for their first win at the tournament.
They will be hoping to break their duck in their final group game, but their recent form suggests that they may have their work cut out, having won just one of their last 13 matches.
However, the FIFA World Rankings suggest that Costa Rica may go into Monday’s contest as favourites, with Las Ticas ranked 41 places above Zambia.
Zambia, meanwhile, have struggled to produce their best form at their first-ever appearance at a Women’s World Cup finals.
After suffering 5-0 defeats to both Japan and Spain, the Copper Queens are left languishing at the bottom of Group C.
While their hopes of making the knockout rounds are over, Zambia will be hoping to claim their first win at a Women’s World Cup.
They will at the very least be looking to find the net, and they can draw inspiration from the fact that they scored eight goals in their final three matches prior to the tournament.
However, they will need to show an improvement at the other end of the pitch, having shipped 18 goals in their last five games.
Team News
Gloriana Villalobos is expected to return to the Costa Rica side after dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Japan.
The 23-year-old is set to start in central midfield alongside Cristin Granados, while Katherine Alvarado and Melissa Herrera are expected to feature out wide.
Glasgow City’s Priscilla Chinchilla will continue to operate in the front two alongside Monterrey striker Maria Salas.
As for Zambia, Catherine Musonda is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing the defeat to Spain through suspension.
After featuring as a substitute in Zambia’s first two games, Avell Chitundu could be presented with a starting opportunity.
Should Chitundu be given the nod, she will feature in a front three alongside Rachael Kundananji and Barbra Banda.
In the news
“We’re looking to win this match and that’s how we’ve been preparing for it – that’s our aim. It’s a chance for us to pick up three points and be able to come home and say that we’ve won a World Cup match.”
Carol Sanchez, Costa Rica defender“I think that we’ve shown progress across each match at this tournament, even if that hasn’t been reflected in the results. We’ve been cutting down on the mistakes. It’s not easy to take on the best teams in the world, but I believe that we’ve been able to learn our lessons. We still have a lot to improve, however, when it comes to overall tactics and the defensive side of the game.”
Bruce Mwape, Zambia coach
Stats
- Zambia are yet to register a point at a Women’s World Cup, with their record to date being two defeats in as many games.
- Costa Rica are also looking for their first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup, although they did manage to pick up two points in 2015 against Spain and Korea Republic.
- Katherine Alvarado, Cristin Granados and Melissa Herrera are the only three players to have featured in all five of Las Ticas’ Women’s World Cup matches.
