Having previewed Groups A, B, C and D of the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Afrosport takes a look at Group E.
The Group comprises of familiar face the United States, emerging force, the Netherlands and first-timers Portugal and Vietnam, who had a thrilling run into the group stage.
United States
The Stars and Stripes head to Australia and New Zealand as the most successful team in the history of the Women’s World Cup, winning four titles including the previous edition in France.
They are also the number one ranked team in the world making them favourites to lift the tournament for a record-extending fifth time.
Vlatko Andonovski’s ladies have a 100% record in 2023, wining seven out of seven games in the build up to the World Cup, including three victories that saw them finish ahead of Japan, Brazil and Canada in the SheBelieves Cup.
The United States also boast some of the best players in the world that include Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Lindsey Horan and Kelley O’Hara, and would be expected to get the better of Vietnam in their Group E opener in Auckland on July 22.
Vietnam
The Golden Star Women Warriors are among eight teams that will be making their World Cup debut.
They qualified by finishing on top of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup playoffs ahead of Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
The Vietnamese ladies have been engaged in lots of games this year, winning eight of 11 games (L3), the bulk of them coming in the Southeast Asian Games which they triumphant, defeating Myanmar in the final.
They are currently ranked 32nd in the world and will face a stern test when they first tackle the United States.
The Netherlands
The Oranje were close to a first-ever World Cup title in the previous edition in France but were let down by a 2-0 loss to the United States.
It was however still a good outing for the Dutch ladies under then-manager Sarina Wiegman, now in charge of England women, as it was just their second-ever World Cup outing.
The Netherlands are currently ranked ninth in the world and will look to revenge their loss to the US last time but will have to face Portugal first on July 23 in Dunedin before the crunch encounter with the Americans in Wellington on July 27.
Andries Jonker’s side have also had a decent preparation to the tournament, winning three of five warm-up games (D2).
Portugal
The Selecao das Quinas are making their World Cup debut after defeating Cameroon 2-1 in the Inter-Confederation playoffs.
The Portuguese ladies are currently ranked 21st in the world and have mixed form going into the World Cup with two wins, two draws in five games.
Starting their first outing at the Mundial against a strong Dutch side will be a very big test for their credentials as an emerging football team.
Group E Fixtures
United States vs Vietnam
Date: July 22
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Time: 2:00 AM (WAT)
Netherlands vs Portugal
Date: July 23
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Time: 8:30 AM (WAT)
United States vs Netherlands
Date: July 27
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Time: 2:00 AM (WAT)
Portugal vs Vietnam
Date: July 27
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Time: 8:30 AM (WAT)
Portugal vs United States
Date: August 1
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Time: 8:00 AM (WAT)
Vietnam vs Netherlands
Date: August 1
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Time: 8:00 AM (WAT)
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