SYDNEY, July 31 (Xinhua) — Co-host Australia trounced Canada 4-0, advancing to the spherical of 16, whereas Nigeria additionally moved ahead regardless of a 0-0 draw with debutant Ireland on the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday.
Australia concluded the group stage on the prime of Group B with six factors, whereas Nigeria secured the second place with 5 factors. Olympic champion Canada was eradicated with 4 factors, and Ireland claimed its first-ever World Cup level from the draw.
Rebounding from a shocking 3-2 defeat to Nigeria, Australia delivered an excellent efficiency earlier than an viewers of 27,706 followers in Melbourne. The attack-minded Australia, unfazed by the earlier setback, noticed Hayley Raso rating twice within the first half because the Matildas took management.
Striker Mary Fowler and Steph Catley added objectives within the second half, ending Canada’s disappointing marketing campaign.
“I’m so proud of the girls. Everybody fought for each other, and to come away with a pretty convincing win is very exciting,” Raso stated. “I think we had our backs to the wall after the last game, and we knew that we needed to come out and put in a big performance. We showed that never-say-die attitude and gave it our all tonight.”
The recreation in Brisbane did not impress, however the outcome was sufficient for Nigeria to achieve the spherical of 16. Nigeria ahead Uchenna Kanu thought she had lastly damaged Ireland’s resistance within the 51st minute, however her highly effective header was brilliantly saved by acrobatic goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan.
This was one of the best alternative of the sport, and Nigeria’s gamers celebrated after the ultimate whistle understanding they’d secured a spot within the knockout stage.
Earlier, Japan thrashed Spain 4-0 in an upset, signaling a powerful warning forward of their conflict with Norway within the spherical of 16. The Asian heavyweight seized the highest place of Group C in an aggressive trend, scoring three objectives throughout a dominant first half.
Playing in entrance of 20,957 followers in Wellington, Japan was unstoppable on the counter-attack, with Hinata Miyazawa scoring twice both aspect and a strike from Riko Ueki within the twenty ninth minute. Japan’s rout was full when substitute Mina Tanaka scored within the 82nd minute.
“Once we recovered the ball we tried to have maximum speed. I thought we were quite effective,” stated coach Futoshi Ikeda, regardless of Japan solely having 22 % of possession for the sport.
Spain will now face Group A winner Switzerland within the spherical of 16.
“We have not seen the best of the Spain team, and I’m sure against Switzerland we will react positively,” stated Spain coach Jorge Vilda.
In one other occasion, debutant Zambia celebrated its first-ever World Cup win after defeating Costa Rica 3-1 in Hamilton. Lushomo Mweemba scored after simply two minutes and 11 seconds, setting the quickest aim of the match and placing Zambia on monitor in a conflict between groups whose hopes of progressing had already ended.
China’s hopes of reaching the knockout phases will probably be examined in opposition to European champion England in one of many 4 video games scheduled for Tuesday.