Group C at the 2019 Women’s World Cup pits together Australia, Italy, Brazil and Jamaica. Australia, Italy and Brazil seem to be evenly matched at the moment, whilst Jamaica will try to beat the odds and make it to the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament.
After impressing at the 2018 Women’s Asian Cup, Australia will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take part at the 2019 Women’s World Cup finals. The Matildas face a difficult task in Group B, but the fact that they made it to the World Cup quarter-finals in previous three appearances at the major tournament is certainly giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the start of the tournament in France.
Australia did not take part in the 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers as top five teams from the Asian Cup book their place at the showpiece tournament. Ante Milicic’s women were producing fine showings at the 2018 Asian Cup with the team rolling over Vietnam 8-0 in the group stages, while sharing the spoils with both Korea Republic (0-0) and Japan (1-1). As a result, Australia set up a meeting with Thailand in the semi-finals of the tournament. The Matildas defeated Nuengrutai Srathongvian’s troops on penalties to book their place in the Asian Cup final for the third consecutive time. However, Japan proved to be a big catch for the Matildas in the title game, with Kumi Yokoyama scoring a late winner.
Coach Ante Milicic used friendly games to test as many players as possible for the upcoming football festival in France and it has to be noted that his women recorded a win in each of their three matches at the 2019 FFA Cup of Nations. However, following the triumphs over New Zealand (2-0), Korea Republic (4-1) and Argentina (3-0), the Matildas were beaten by star-studded USA in a warm-up game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado.
As previously mentioned made it to the World Cup quarter-finals on three occasions (2007, 2011, 2015) and, no doubt, key players Sam Kerr, Steph Catley and Kyah Simon could help the Asian side cross one hurdle more this time out.
Unlike Australia, Italy participated in the 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The Azzurre were grouped with Moldova, Romania, Portugal and Belgium and they did well to clinch top position in Group F. Italy recorded seven wins in the process, while suffering a loss to Belgium in their last group game where they had nothing to play for.
The Italian women did not take part at previous four editions of the World Cup finals, meaning that they are hungry for success. The Azzurre recorded their best result at the major tournament 28 years ago in China where they made it to the quarter-finals. Anyhow, Milena Bertolini’s charges are eager to, at least, repeat the success.
Italy have been producing splendid showings in friendly games in 2019. Milena Bertolini’s team have recorded six wins, whiles sharing the spoils with Korea Republic and Poland. The Azzurre are surely brimming with confidence ahead of their 2019 Women’s World Cup opener against Australia and we are positive that they will leave their hearts on the field.
Cristiana Girelli was scoring goals for fun (6) in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers and the 29-year-old Juventus attacker is likely to play an important role in Milena Bertolini’s team at the football festival in France. Barbara Bonansea and Sara Gama are expected to shine at the upcoming World Cup as well. Considering that Italy were in a terrific form in both qualifiers and warm-up games, we predict that they will secure a top-three finish in Group C without any difficulties. You should bear in mind, though, that the Azzurre registered only one victory in previous five games at the Women’s World Cup.
Over the years Brazil have established themselves as one of the best women teams in the world football, but they have yet to lift the World Cup trophy. As Canarinhas won the silver medal at the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China, which is considered the team’s best result at the major tournament. Brazil, though, failed to impress at the 2015 tournament in Canada, meaning that they are eager to make amends for the unsuccessful campaign.
The South American side defended their Copa America Femenina trophy in style, with the team rolling over Colombia 3-0 in the final of the tournament. As a result, Brazil booked their place at the 2019 Women’s World Cup finals where they will face the likes of Italy, Australia and Jamaica in Group C. The good news for Brazil fans is that experienced duo Marta and Cristiane will represent their homeland at the showpiece tournament in France, with Debinha making the cut as well. The trio is eager to help As Canarinhas win their first ever World Cup trophy, but they will have a mountain to climb at the 2019 tournament.
Brazil have been struggling to find their best form in 2019, with the team suffering a loss in each of their five warm-up games. A win over Jamaica in their World Cup opener will surely help the team regain a much-needed confidence, but coach Vadao must warn his women against complacency. Anyhow, Brazil are likely to secure a top-three finish in Group C, but it remains to be seen if that is going to prove to be enough for the Copa America champions to advance to the last 16.
As previously mentioned, Brazil did remarkably well to make it to the final of the 2007 Women’s World Cup, but Germany proved to be a big catch for them in the decider. Die Nationalelf won the game in Shanghai, China 2-0.
Jamaica players can’t wait for the 2019 Women’s World Cup to begin as they are eager to make their debut at the major tournament. The Reggae Girlz qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time ever and, no doubt, Hue Menzies’ troops will be enjoying every single moment spent on the field.
Jamaica were producing fine displays in the 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, but they failed to shock Canada and United States of America in the process. The Reggae Girlz were in a fine form during their warm-up games, with the team beating the likes of Chile and Panama. The CONCACAF side, though, suffered a loss to Scotland in their last friendly match where they experienced all sorts of problems at the back.
Konya Plummer, Jody Brown and Khadija Shaw are seen as the team’s biggest stars. Konya Plummer is a very talented midfielder who plays for UCF Knights and she is widely expected to shine at the upcoming Women’s World Cup finals. Jody Brown is yet another rising star and the teenage girl, who scored six goals in the qualifiers is definitely capable of making life difficult for the opposition defenders. Khadija Shaw has been in a splendid form in 2019. The 22-year-old midfielder first scored a brace in a 3-2 win over Chile and then repeated the success in a 3-2 loss to Scotland.
The lack of experience at major tournaments could prove to be the main problem for Hue Menzies’ team at the 2019 World Cup finals. Given the quality of fellow sides from Group C, the Reggae Girlz have slim chances of making it to the knockout stages. Anyhow, they finally have chance to prove their worth on the big stage.