2015 Women’s World Cup hosts Canada have been grouped with the likes of Cameroon, Netherlands and New Zealand at the showpiece tournament in France. Canada and Netherlands are considered favourites to win the group, but Cameroon and New Zealand women have something else on their minds.
Despite hosting the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Canada failed to win their first ever trophy at the major tournament. The CONCACAF side made it to the quarter-finals of the 2015 tournament where they suffered a loss to England. Canada have been in a fine form in 2019 and they must be high on confidence ahead of their World Cup opener against Cameroon.
Canada have been impressive at the back in warm-up games and it has to be noted that they managed to keep a clean sheet in seven of their last eight matches. Danish tactician Kenneth Heiner-Moller is obviously doing a great job with the Canada women’s national football team, but his troops will have to prove their worth on the field at the upcoming showpiece tournament.
The Canadians were scoring goals for fun in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, with the team beating the likes of Jamaica, Cuba, Costa Rica and Panama in the process, while suffering a loss to star-studded USA. The victories over Cuba (12-0) and Panama (7-0) were especially impressive as Canada scored 19 goals in total in those qualifying games.
Christine Sinclair, Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence are seen as the team’s key players. Christine Sinclair, who will turn 36 during the 2019 World Cup in France, scored four goals in the qualifiers and we are positive that she is going to pose a big threat for the opposition defenders. This will be her fifth appearance at the Women’s World Cup finals. As previously mentioned, Canada look solid at the back and, no doubt, credits should go to 23-year-old defender Kadiesha Buchanan. Buchanan won the 2018/2019 Champions League title with Olympique Lyon, meaning that she is likely to play an important role in Kennet Heiner-Moller’s team in the group stages. Ashley Lawrence is yet another talented footballer (23), who participated in the Champions League final (with PSG) as well.
Speaking of Canada’s chances at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, given their thrilling form in 2019, we are positive that they will secure a top-two finish in Group E.
Netherlands are a team that made a very big progress. The Oranje did well to book their place in the 2015 Women’s World Cup last 16 on their debut at the major tournament and they are expected to shine at the upcoming football festival as well.
Sarina Glotzback-Wiegman’s team were producing fine displays in the 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, but the team eventually suffered second position in Group C, two points behind Norway. As a result, Netherlands faced Switzerland in the play-offs. The Oranje got their job done in the first leg, with the team rolling over La Nati 3-0 in Utrecht. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the return leg in Schaffhausen, with Netherlands booking their place at the World Cup finals.
Netherlands are one of the youngest teams at the 2019 World Cup in France, but there is a lot of talent in Sarina Glotzbach-Wiegman’s squad. Anyhow, Lieke Martens, Shanice van de Sanden and Loes Geurts are expected to play main roles in the Dutch women’s national team.
Lieke Martens was scoring goals for fun for Barcelona in the 2018/2019 season and you should bear in mind that she netted four goals for Netherlands on the road to France. Shanice van de Sanden had a big reason for celebration in May as she lifted the Champions League trophy with Olympique Lyon. The 26-year-old striker failed to find the net on their debut at the World Cup finals four years ago and, no doubt, she is eager to open her account at the 2019 tournament. The former Liverpool forward scored four goals in the 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers for the Oranje.
A bright future is ahead of this Netherlands women’s national team and many football experts believe that they are going to record a good result at the 2019 World Cup in France. Given the number of high-profile players in Sarina Glotzbach-Wiegman’s team, we are positive that the Oranje will advance to the knockout stages without any difficulties. The lack of experience, though, could prove to be a big problem for Netherlands in their race for the trophy.
Cameroon booked their place at the Women’s World Cup finals for the second consecutive time. The Indomitable Lionesses were producing fine showings on their debut at the major tournament four years ago, with the team finishing the process in the last 16. Cameroon outplayed the likes of Ecuador and Switzerland in the group stages, while suffering a loss to Japan in their second group game. China eventually proved to be a big catch for Cameroon in the last 16.
Cameroon proved their worth at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations as well, with the team making it to the semis of the tournament. The Indomitable Lionesses were more than unfortunate not to make it to the final as they were beaten by Nigeria on penalties in the semi-finals. However, thanks to a thrilling 4-2 win over Mali Cameroon clinched third place and won the bronze medal at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations.
Alain Djeumfa’s charges played no more than two warm-up games for the 2019 World Cup finals. Following a heavy 4-0 loss to Spain, Cameroon defeated Levante 4-0 in a hybrid friendly and regained a much-needed confidence. Madeleine Ngono, Gaelle Enganamouit and Christine Manie are considered the team’s key players and all eyes will be on the trio when the Indomitable Lionesses kick off their World Cup campaign against Canada.
Cameroon have slim chances of securing a top-two finish in Group E, but a win over New Zealand could help them sneak into the last 16 of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
New Zealand are on a quest to book their place in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever. The Football Ferns suffered elimination in the group stages in each of their previous three appearances at the showpiece tournament, meaning that New Zealand fans are hungry for success.
New Zealand were producing terrific displays in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, with the team crushing the likes of Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji and New Caledonia, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in matches against Netherlands, Canada and Cameroon in Group E. You should know that Tom Sermanni’s team defeated the likes of Norway and Mexico in the preparations for the upcoming tournament in France.
Katie Bowen, Erin Nayler and Sarah Gregorius will be the women to watch in Tom Sermanni’s team when New Zealand kick off their World Cup campaign against Netherlands on June 11, 2019. Katie Bowen has been playing for New Zealand since 2011 and the 25-year-old defender has 59 caps for the national team. Erin Nayler is an experienced goalkeeper, who could play an important role in Tom Sermanni’s team in the group stages of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Sarah Gregorius is the team’s top scorer. The 31-year-old attacker, who has netted 33 goals in 91 appearances for the national team, is ready for her third World Cup and we are positive that she is going to make life difficult for the opposition back-lines.
New Zealand are seen as underdogs in Group E, but they are definitely capable of beating Cameroon in their last group game. As previously mentioned, the Football Ferns are eager to advance to the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time ever, but they will have to prove their worth on the field.