Canada vs Australia – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
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THE FACTS
When is Canada vs Australia on and what time does it start? Canada vs Australia will take place on Monday 31st July, 2023 – 12:00 (UK)
Where is Canada vs Australia taking place? Canada vs Australia will take place at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Where can I get tickets for Canada vs Australia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Canada vs Australia
What channel is Canada vs Australia on in the UK? Canada vs Australia will be televised live on BBC Two
Where can I stream Canada vs Australia in the UK? Canada vs Australia will be streamed on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
CANADA
- Canada have enjoyed a good start to their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, albeit they will be a little concerned about some unconvincing performances.
- They began with a goalless draw against Nigeria and then went a goal down early on to World Cup debutants, Ireland, in their second match. The North Americans did manage to turn that game around, though.
AUSTRALIA
- Co-hosts Australia will have expected to go really deep into this tournament but they began with a very shaky 1-0 win against Ireland, via a 52nd minute Steph Catley penalty. The Australians followed that up with a shock 3-2 defeat to Nigeria.
- The Matilda’s head into the final game of their home group stage sitting third, behind Nigeria and Canada. Only a victory will be enough to see them qualify for the knockouts.
THE TEAM NEWS
CANADA
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Sheridan; Riviere, Buchanan, Gilles, Lawrence; Quinn, Grosso; Leon, Fleming, Huitema; Viens
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
AUSTRALIA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Vine; van Egmond, Foord
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Canada have won the last three matches between these two nations, including their most recent meeting at a major international tournament which was a 2-0 victory in the group stage in the 2016 Olympics.
- Canada and Australia’s only previous encounter in the FIFA Women’s World Cup was a 2-2 draw in the group stage at the finals in 2007.
- Canada have won three and drawn two of their previous five FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against AFC representatives.
- The 2-1 victory against the Republic of Ireland was just the second occasion that Canada have come from behind to win a match in FIFA Women's World Cup history. The previous time came in 2003 when they came back from 1-0 down to defeat Japan 3-1.
- Canada are aiming to qualify for the knockout rounds for the third time in a row having also done so in 2015 and 2019. The only other time they qualified from their group was in 2003.
- Canada have topped their group on one occasion in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, that was on home soil in 2015 when they unbeaten (W1 D2), that is the only occasion they have played a group stage campaign without losing a match.
- Victory for Canada would see them finish the group stage with seven points, this would beat their current highest total of six (2003 and 2019).
- A goal for Christine Sinclair would see her record the achievement of scoring in six FIFA Women’s World Cup final competitions.
- Adriana Leon has scored a total of three goals in Canada’s last two matches against Australia.
THE PREDICTION
At the time of this match kicking off, it will have been the biggest game in the tournament so far. Co-hosts Australia are on the verge of elimination and even if they get through, they will be knocking out one of the other stronger sides in the competition, Canada. These two sides are expected to really go at each other as they seek to likely join Nigeria in the knockouts. With both sides coming into this on the back of relatively high-scoring thrillers, the neutral should be tuning in for this one.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
