Zambia will hopefully have learnt from what happened to them in their first game but the scoreline here depends a lot on Spain, who have a tendency of taking their foot off the gas a little bit. If Costa Rica are as open again, then the same will happen to them here. Japan made quite a splash too, with their big win over Zambia. I expected Spain to start by making a statement, but Costa Rica made it far too easy for them and they were taken apart. I watched Costa Rica's defeat against Spain and they are probably the worst team I have seen so far at this World Cup. Nigeria showed against Canada that they are hard to beat, and I wouldn't be surprised if they got another point here too - which would leave the Matildas with more work to do to get out of their group.īrown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: Spain (winners) and Zambia (runners-up) Japan 2-0 Costa Rica I'm desperate for Kerr to be back in action and I am sure she is hoping to be ready for the knockout stages, but if it is something more significant then that could jeopardise her whole World Cup which would be such a huge shame.įingers crossed she is back soon, but, without her, this is going to be a tough game for Australia. I think they will get it too, although I can see Ireland scoring one and keeping it close.Īustralia are missing Sam Kerr and we don't know yet when she will be fit again after her calf injury on the eve of the tournament. I can understand why Ireland were cagey against Australia - it was their opening game of their first World Cup, and it was against the co-hosts - but they don't look like a side that is suddenly going to start getting lots of goals now.Ĭanada have got more quality, and they also really need a win here. They clearly have some issues to sort out, which is why I can see the Swiss getting the win that would send them through, and put Norway out.īrown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: Australia (winners) and Canada (runners-up) Canada 2-1 Republic of Ireland I've heard rumblings from inside the Norway camp that there are differences in opinions about how they should be playing, and no joined-up thinking in the squad about their style of play. They never got anywhere near full-tilt and Switzerland will probably try to do the same. New Zealand's game plan was to stop Norway finding any sort of rhythm, and it worked. They just didn't offer anything cohesive as a team. The home crowd will be right behind them again too, and it is going to be tough for the Philippines to stop them. New Zealand know they are through to the last 16 if they see off the Philippines, which is a huge incentive, and I think we will see them go on the attack straight away. The Ferns had gone 15 games over 32 years without managing a win at a World Cup, but their second success should come along a lot quicker. It wasn't always the most free-flowing football but I was still very impressed with how New Zealand played in their historic victory over Norway. Brown-Finnis' pre-tournament picks: Norway (winners) and New Zealand (runners-up) New Zealand 0-1 Philippines
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