Three meetings will follow one another, Friday from 4:30 am, during this second day of competition, in New Zealand and Australia.
A month of football on the Oceanian continent kicked off on Thursday. The day after New Zealand’s surprise and historic victory over Norway (1-0), the 2023 World Cup continues on Friday July 21 with three new matches. The Canada of the reigning Olympic champions, the Spain of the stars Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso, and the Philippines, which are playing their first World Cup, will be on the green rectangle.
4h30: Nigeria-Canada (M6)
The Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne hosts the reigning Olympic champions. The Canadians rub shoulders with Nigeria for their entry into the World Cup. Placed in the difficult group B, with Australia and Ireland, they have no room for error against an ambitious Nigerian team. “When the Nigeria team plays well, they play really well. I think we have to stay calm and sure of our strengths”warned Bev Priestman, the coach of Canada.
A major nation on the African continent, Nigeria intends to disrupt Canadian plans. THE Super Falcons11 times African champions, only finished fourth in the last edition, in 2022, but they have a first-choice offensive weapon in their ranks: FC Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala. “When you have Oshoala in your team, you have a chance against anyone”assured coach Randy Waldrum.
7 a.m.: Philippines-Switzerland (M6)
In Group A, the Philippines will play their very first match in the World Cup. At Dunedin Stadium, facing an ambitious Swiss formation, the Filipinas will not have the favor of forecasts. “It’s a very high quality formation. We know they will be very strong”explained Sarina Bolden, author of the victorious shot on goal which sent the Philippines to the World Cup, during the last Asian Cup.
For its part, Switzerland will not want to miss their entry into the competition, before facing Norway, already in great danger after their defeat against the New Zealand host. The Nati, who reached the round of 16 in 2015 in their only participation in a World Cup (0-1 defeat against Canada), hope to do as well this year.
9:30 am: Spain-Costa Rica (France 2)
The Wellington Regional Stadium hosts the first meeting of Spain, against Costa Rica. Eliminated by the United States four years ago in the round of 16, the Spaniards intend to take their revenge and finally confirm the expectations placed on them in a major international competition. For this, La Roja can count on its star, Alexia Putellas, double winner of the Golden Ball, awarded to the best footballer in the world.
In Group C, where Spain is the big favourite, Costa Rica will try to create a sensation. THE Ticas have never won in the World Cup, but they can draw on their experience of the 2015 World Cup, where they managed to compete with the Spanish (1-1) during the group stage.