New Zealand vs Norway – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand vs Norway on and what time does it start? New Zealand vs Norway will take place on Thursday 20th July, 2023 – 08:00 (UK)
Where is New Zealand vs Norway taking place? New Zealand vs Norway will take place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand vs Norway? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for New Zealand vs Norway
What channel is New Zealand vs Norway on in the UK? New Zealand vs Norway will be televised live on BBC One
Where can I stream New Zealand vs Norway in the UK? New Zealand vs Norway can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
THE LOWDOWN
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand come into the World Cup in very poor form, which doesn’t bode well when considering their awful record in this tournament, but they’ll hope that home advantage can serve as a leveller for them against their opponents.
- The Football Ferns are yet to win a game at the World Cup finals, going out in the group stage in each of their five appearances but the foundations are in place for them to do better this time round with a very attack-minded head coach in Jitka Klimkova.
NORWAY
- Norway have a point to prove on the major international stage following their group stage exit back in Euro 2022, which included an 8-0 thrashing at the hands of eventual champions England, but they’ll have better memories of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, bowing out in the quarter-finals of that one.
- Making her return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2015, striker Ada Hegerberg will have a huge to play for Norway with it being crucial that she is at her best in-front of goal, whilst Maren Mjelde and Caroline Graham Hansen are other key players worth watching out for.
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Esson; Bott, Stott, A. Riley, Foster; Hassett, Chance, Percival; Rennie, Wilkinson, Hand
UNAVAILABLE: Rood (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Bott (Injured), Hassett (Injured)
NORWAY
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Mikalson; Tuva Hansen, Mjelde, Harviken, Lund; Maanum, Engen; Haavi, Graham Hansen, Reiten; Hegerberg.
UNAVAILABLE: Leine (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- New Zealand have lost each of their previous six FIFA Women’s World Cup™ matches against European opposition.
- New Zealand have lost their opening match in each of their previous five appearances at the finals.
- A host nation has never failed to advance past the group stage in a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competition.
- Norway defeated New Zealand 4-0 in the only previous FIFA Women’s World Cup™ encounter between these two nations all the way back in the group stage at the inaugural edition in 1991. Current Norway coach Hege Riise was on the scoresheet in that fixture.
- Winners in 1995, Norway have never missed a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competition having been present at each edition since 1991.
- Norway have progressed through to the knockout phase at seven of the previous eight final competitions; the exception being 2011.
- Norway have won their opening match at each of the last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competitions.
THE PREDICTION
Jitka Klimkova has promised to send her team out to attack Norway and the rest of their Group A opponents, rather than play conservatively even if this is a risky strategy. Especially when taking into account the quality of the Norwegians from an offensive point of view. However, with a packed Eden Park crowd behind them, New Zealand will benefit from a wave of momentum that they’ll look to use to their advantage. Whilst Norway should still prove too strong for them, New Zealand are more than capable of giving them a fright, so back both teams to score alongside victory for Norway.
TIP: NORWAY TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
