Zambia vs Japan – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Zambia vs Japan on and what time does it start? Zambia vs Japan will take place on Saturday 22nd July, 2023 – 08:00 (UK)
Where is Zambia vs Japan taking place? Zambia vs Japan will take place at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Zambia vs Japan? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Zambia vs Japan
What channel is Zambia vs Japan on in the UK? Zambia vs Japan will be televised live on BBC Two
Where can I stream Zambia vs Japan in the UK? Zambia vs Japan can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
ZAMBIA
- Zambia are a footballing nation with plenty to be optimistic about heading into their maidan women’s World Cup campaign, Bruce Mwape’s side having reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and also winning the COSAFA Women’s Cup, not to mention beating a formidable Germany team in a friendly earlier this month.
- Barbra Banda, scorer of consecutive Olympic hat-tricks for the Copper Queens and top scorer during their COSAFA Women’s Cup triumph represents a significant goal threat, as does Racheal Kundananji, but to have a chance at this World Cup, they’ll need to put in the sort of defensive performance against elite opposition which we haven’t seen before from them, especially when factoring in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Hazel Nali through injury.
JAPAN
- 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners and 2015 runners-up Japan have high expectations on their shoulders from supporters who want to see the Nadeshiko relive those glory days after a couple of disappointing results in recent major tournaments, failing to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics and being knocked out of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the round of 16 stage.
- Striker Mina Tanaka will be confident of finding the net in this one, especially with teammate and Man City star Yui Hasegawa supplying her from midfielder, whilst Jun Endo of Angel City has seemingly reached full-fitness just in time for the start of the tournament, a big boost for Japan.
THE TEAM NEWS
ZAMBIA
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Musonda; Belemu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo; Lubandji, Banda, Katongo; Chitundu, Banda, Kundananji
UNAVAILABLE: Nali (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
JAPAN
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Yamashita; Ishikawa, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Hasegawa, Nagano, Endo; Fujino, Tanaka, Miyazawa
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Zambia are competing at their first FIFA Women’s World Cup™ having earned their spot via the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Their third-place finish at that tournament represents their best achievement in their continental championship.
- Grace Chanda and Margaret Belemu, who both played for Zambia at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2014, were named in the best XI team at the 2022 WAFCON for their impressive performances throughout the tournament.
- Japan have maintained their ever-present record at the finals with their successful qualification for Australia & New Zealand 2023. They are the only Asian nation to feature in all nine editions.
- Japan have not lost their opening match at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final competition since 1995 when they lost 1-0 against Germany.
- Japan’s captain Saki Kumagai is participating at her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup™, an appearance in this match will be her 17th at the finals moving her joint-second alongside Aya Miyama on the all-time list of most matches played for the nation in the competition, behind Homare Sawa who featured 24 times for Japan at the Women’s World Cup.
THE PREDICTION
Japan have proven World Cup pedigree and should have no issue transitioning into tournament football. Such experience on the big stage is likely to serve them well against Zambia, although don’t expect Japan to have it easy against a very underrated team getting better and better as an all-round unit. Zambia will give Japan a real run for their money and are more than capable of gaining success against Futoshi Ikeda’s side offensively. Regardless of the final outcome here, backing both teams to score is to be seriously considered.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
