United States of America did well to win the 2015 Women’s World Cup, but they do not want stop now. The Stars and Stripes are after their fourth World Cup trophy, but they first need to prove their worth in group games against Thailand, Chile and Sweden.
United States of America impressed at the 2015 Women’s World Cup finals, with the team recording a splendid 5-2 victory over Japan in the final of the tournament. The Stars and Stripes aim to defend their trophy and they are seen as main favourites to win top position in Group F.
USA faced no difficulties in the 2019 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, with the team rolling over the likes of Mexico (6-0), Panama (5-0), Trinidad & Tobago (7-0), Jamaica (6-0) and Canada (2-0). Coach Jillian Ellis is doing a great job with the USA women’s national football team and it has to be noted that they recorded a win in each of their last six warm-up games. The defending champions did well to beat the likes of Brazil, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand and Mexico, meaning that they are brimming with confidence ahead of the start of the showpiece tournament in France.
Alex Morgan is still the team’s leader and she will be the woman to watch in Jillian Ellis’ team at the 2019 Women’s World Cup finals. The 29-year-old captain has netted 101 goals in 163 caps for the USA national team, meaning that Thailand, Chile and Sweden defenders should have her at bay. The likes of Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn are considered the team’s key players as well and the duo is likely to play an important role in Jillian Ellis’ team in the group stages of the tournament in France.
When it comes to USA’ s chances at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the Stars and Stripes will almost certainly book their place in the last 16, but fans are hungry for more. The reigning champions want to go all the way at the tournament in France and seeing that they impressed in both qualifiers and warm-up matches, they are definitely capable of defending their trophy. You should bear in mind that USA are on a six-game winning run at the World Cup finals.
Four years ago Thailand qualified for their first ever Women’s World Cup finals. The Asian side did well to beat Ivory Coast 3-2 in the group stages, but they eventually failed to advance to the last 16 of the tournament in Canada. The Chaba Kaew will have yet another chance to prove their worth on the big stage as making it to the 2018 Women’s Asian Cup semis helped them book their place at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Thailand did not kick off their Asian Cup campaign in great manner, with the team suffering a heavy 4-0 loss to China in their opener. However, thanks to back-to-back wins over Jordan and Philippines they set up a meeting with Australia in the semi-finals of the tournament. The Matildas won the game on penalties and, to make things even worse for Thailand fans, the Chaba Kaew suffered a 3-1 loss to China in the 3rd place play-off.
Coach Nuengruethai Sathongwien has a number of experienced footballers to choose from, but all eyes will be on Rattikan Thongsombut, Kanjana Sungngoen and Wilaiporn Boothduang when Thailand face United States of America in the opening match of their 2019 World Cup campaign.
Thailand face an uphill task in their opener as USA are seen as No. 1 favourites to win the World Cup title and they are unlikely to spoil Sweden’s party at Allianz Riviera as well. Nuengruethai Sathongwien’s should be looking for their second ever win at the World Cup finals against Chile in their third group game. Anyhow, the Asian side have slim chances of advancing to the next phase of this summer’s football festival.
Over the years Sweden have established themselves as one of the best European sides in women’s football. The Blagult showed character at the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany, with the team winning the bronze medal, but they failed to impress at the last edition of the showpiece tournament. Sweden are eager to give fans some cheer at the 2019 World Cup finals and they are definitely capable of recording a good result at the upcoming tournament.
Sweden were producing terrific displays in the qualifiers, with the team clinching top position in Group D. Peter Gerhardsson’s troops registered seven wins in the process, while suffering only one defeat. The Blagult were scoring goals for fun in the qualifiers and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play in their 2019 World Cup opener against Chile.
Experienced midfielder Caroline Seger is likely to retire from the international football after the tournament, but she is definitely capable of helping the team make it to the knockout stages. Stina Blackstenius, the 23-year-old rising star could prove to be one of the key players in Peter Gerhardsson’s team at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. This will be fourth appearance at the World Cup finals Chelsea goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl and, no doubt, her experience could prove to be a big advantage for Sweden over their rivals.
Sweden have big ambitions for the 2019 World Cup and seeing that they will face the likes of Chile and Thailand in Group F, we are positive that the Scandinavian side will book their place in the last 16 in style. You should know that the Blagult are after their fourth medal at the World Cup finals.
Last but not least are Chile. Las Chicas de Rojo are eager to prove their worth on their Women’s World Cup debut, but their performances in warm-up games are not giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the start of the showpiece tournament in France.
Chile have been totally out of form in 2019. The South American side are on an eight-game winless run ahead of their 2019 World Cup opener, but they were on top of their game at the 2018 Women’s Copa America. Jose Antonio Letelier’s troops clinched second place at the tournament and, as a result, they qualified for the World Cup in France. Las Chicas de Rojo outclassed Argentina in their last game at the 2018 Copa America Femenina and they surely want to repeat the success.
Christiane Endler, Carla Guerrero, Francisca Lara are seen as the team’s key players. The 27-year-old goalkeeper did well to make it to the Women’s Champions League final with PSG, but Olympique Lyon eventually won the trophy. Carla Guerrero will finally have a chance to take part at the World Cup finals and the Rayo Vallecano centre-back is likely to play an important role in Jose Antonio Letelier’s team. Francisca Lara will be yet another woman to watch in the Chilean national team. The Seville midfielder enjoyed a very successful season in Spanish Primera Division, meaning that the opposition defenders should have her at bay.
Chile players will surely enjoy every single minute on the field in the group stages of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Las Chicas de Rojo will fight tooth and nail against fellow Group F rivals, but given their lack of experience at major tournament, we do not believe that they are capable of securing a top-three finish.