FIXTURES
CANADA V CAMEROON
June 11, 5:00am AEST
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
NEW ZEALAND V NETHERLANDS
June 11, 11:00pm AEST
Stade Océane, Le Havre
NETHERLANDS V CAMEROON
June 15, 11:00pm AEST
Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes
CANADA V NEW ZEALAND
June 16, 5:00am AEST
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
NETHERLANDS V CANADA
June 20, 2:00am AEST
Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims
CAMEROON V NEW ZEALAND
June 20, 2:00am AEST
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
NETHERLANDS
FIFA Ranking: 8
Last five games: WWWDL
Previous World Cup appearances: 1 (2015)
Captain: Sari van Veenendaal
The current European champions will be at only their second World Cup this year but will be expected to do well. Ranked eighth in the world, the Oranje Leeuwinnen took the long route in qualifying, needing to overcome Denmark and Switzerland in the European play off. Their recent results have been positive with three wins in their last three games after a disappointing 10th place finish at the Algarve Cup.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: The team is studded with superstars up top. From Lieke Martens to Vivianne Miedema to Shanice van de Sanden, the Dutch are deadly in front of goal and will strike fear into opposition defences.
Weakness: The Dutch are another team which may suffer from the weight of expectation. Potential defensive frailties could crush the team’s hope of progressing past the Round of 16.
COACH
Sarina Wiegman is a former national team player with over 100 caps to her name. She has been the Netherlands head coach since 2016, overseeing the Euros win and qualification to this tournament.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Vivianne Miedema is by no means an unknown quantity. The 22-year-old Arsenal striker has been making a name for herself for some time despite being so young and she looks primed to shine on the world stage.
KEY PLAYERS
Sari van Veenendaal (Defender): The 29-year-old dons the gloves and the captain's armband in this Netherlands side. She is a strong shot stopper who most recently played for Arsenal.
Danielle van de Donk (Midfielder): She plays for Arsenal in England and was crucial in their recent league success. While she plays in the centre of the park, Van de Donk can find the back of the net as well.
Lieke Martens (Forward): She is one of the best players in the world and the Barcelona striker will look to light up France. She is experienced and prolific in front of goal and will be vital to any Dutch success.
SQUAD
1. Sari VAN VEENENDAAL, 2. Desiree VAN LUNTEREN, 3. Stefanie VAN DER GRAGT, 4. Merel VAN DONGEN, 5. Kika VAN ES, 6. Anouk DEKKER, 7. Shanice VAN DE SANDEN, 8. Sherida SPITSE, 9. Vivianne MIEDEMA, 10. Danielle VAN DE DONK, 11. Lieke MARTENS, 12. Victoria PELOVA, 13. Renate JANSEN, 14. Jackie GROENEN, 15. Inessa KAAGMAN, 16. Lize KOP, 17. Ellen JANSEN, 18. Danique KERKDIJK, 19. Jill ROORD, 20. Dominique BLOODWORTH, 21. Lineth BEERENSTEYN, 22. Liza VAN DER MOST, 23. Loes GEURTS
CANADA
FIFA Ranking: 5
Last five games: DWWWW
Previous World Cup appearances: 6 (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Captain: Christine Sinclair
Canada enter this World Cup with the sensational Christine Sinclair donning the captain’s armband, Canada will be looking to improve on their quarter final exit at the 2015 edition of the tournament. Undefeated in 2019 with five wins and three draws, the team will feel optimistic about their chances in France.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: Canada is vastly experienced with three players having earned over 140 caps and further 10 earning at least 50. Moreover, the team knows how to do well in major tournaments with two Olympic bronze medals to their name.
Weakness: the potential to become a one trick pony - even when that one trick is Sinclair - could poses problems for Canada. If she doesn’t get the support she needs, Canada could struggle.
COACH
Kenneth Heiner-Moller is Danish and has plenty of experience coaching in his home country. He has been involved with the Canadian team since 2015, firstly as an assistant, and as head coach since 2018.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Deanne Rose is still playing college football in the US but has an Olympic bronze medal to her name. The 20 year old has already earned 40 caps and scored eight goals for her country.
KEY PLAYERS
Kadeisha Buchanan (Defender): She was the Young Player of the Tournament back in 2015 and currently plays for Lyon. She is the rock of Canada’s defence and an aerial threat.
Sophie Schmidt (Midfielder): The 30-year-old is a veteran of the squad with over 180 caps to her name. She plays for Houston Dash and will provide plenty of experience in the centre of the park.
Christine Sinclair (Forward): She is a walking legend in Canadian and women’s football. France 2019 will be her fifth World Cup and the tournament looks to be the likely setting for her to make history; she is just behind Abby Wambach in the all-time goal scoring tally.
SQUAD
1. Stephanie LABBE, 2. Allysha CHAPMAN, 3. Kadeisha BUCHANAN, 4. Shelina ZADORSKY, 5. Rebecca QUINN, 6. Deanne ROSE, 7. Julia GROSSO, 8. Jayde RIVIERE, 9. Jordyn HUITEMA, 10. Ashley LAWRENCE, 11. Desiree SCOTT, 12. Christine SINCLAIR, 13. Sophie SCHMIDT, 14. Gabrielle CARLE, 15. Nichelle PRINCE, 16. Janine BECKIE, 17. Jessie FLEMING, 18. Kailen SHERIDAN, 19. Adriana LEON, 20. Shannon WOELLER, 21. Sabrina D'ANGELO, 22. Lindsay AGNEW, 23. Jenna HELLSTROM
NEW ZEALAND
FIFA Ranking: 19
Last five games: LWWLW
Previous World Cup appearances: 4 (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Captain: Ali Riley
New Zealand will be participating in their fourth consecutive World Cup and fifth overall. Led by Ali Riley, the Football Ferns will be hoping that 2019 is the year they progress out of the group stage of the tournament. A mixed bag of results in 2019 make New Zealand difficult to categorise - losses to the US, Australia and South Korea have been mixed in with victories over Norway and England.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: The Football Ferns are mighty experienced and capable of solidly defending and waiting for their opportunity to strike. When done well, it’s an effective game plan and may need to be used against the likes of the Netherlands and Canada.
Weakness: While the Ferns scored for fun in Oceania qualifying, scoring at the World Cup has been a bit harder. In 2019, New Zealand has scored six goals in eight games, being held scoreless in half of those games.
COACH
Tom Sermanni has long been involved in women’s football, coaching the likes of the Matildas and the USWNT as well as Orlando Pride in the NWSL. Sermanni has been at the helm since 2018.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Paige Satchell is only 21 and has risen through the youth national teams to book a spot at her first World Cup. She recently signed with SC Sand in the Frauen-Bundesliga for the upcoming season.
KEY PLAYERS
Ali Riley (Defender): She is the Football Ferns captain and leads from the back. Currently playing with Chelsea in the WSL, France 2019 will be Riley’s fourth World Cup.
Katie Bowen (Midfielder): The 25-year-old plies her trade for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL and is a crucial cog in the Football Ferns midfield. 2019 will be her third World Cup.
Sarah Gregorius (Forward): She will be a key presence up forward for the Football Ferns. She has made 90+ appearances and scored 30+ goals for her country.
SQUAD
1. Erin NAYLER, 2. Ria PERCIVAL, 3. Anna GREEN, 4. C.J. BOTT, 5. Meikayla MOORE, 6. Rebekah STOTT, 7. Ali RILEY, 8. Abby ERCEG, 10. Annalie LONGO, 11. Sarah GREGORIUS, 12. Betsy HASSETT, 13. Rosie WHITE, 14. Katie BOWEN, 15. Sarah MORTON, 16. Katie DUNCAN, 17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Steph SKILTON, 19. Paige SATCHELL, 20. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 21. Victoria ESSON, 22. Olivia CHANCE, 23. Nadia OLLA
CAMEROON
FIFA Ranking: 46
Last five games: WWWLW
Previous World Cup appearances: 1 (2015)
Captain: Christine Manie
Cameroon has qualified for back to back World Cups and will hope to improve on its Round of 16 exit in Canada 2015. The Indomitable Lionesses are only recent regulars on the world stage. Ranked 47th in the world, Cameroon has prepared for the World Cup by playing clubs and academy sides, particularly from their homeland and Spain.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS
Strength: They have plenty of talent up forward with their players plying their trade in leagues across the globe including France, Russia and Norway.
Weakness: Their defence isn’t as strong as their attack. While the front two thirds of the pitch may be sound, the weaker defensive third could cost the team.
COACH
Alain Djeumfa has only been in the top job since January this year. However, he was in and around the team as the fitness coach prior to his promotion. He has plenty of experience managing club sides in Cameroon.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ajara Nchout is another striker who has played in Sweden and Norway, After impressing at the World Cup in 2015 and the African Cup of Nations in 2018, Nchout will be important for the Indomitable Lionesses.
KEY PLAYERS
Estelle Johnson (Defender): She plays in the NWSL for Sky Blue FC. Vastly experienced in the American Leagues - and a stint with Sydney FC in the W-League - Johnson will make her full Cameroon debut at the World Cup.
Genevieve Ngo Mbeleck (Midfielder): The 26-year-old is a holding midfielder playing for Amazone FAP in Cameroon. As the first line of defence she will be very important.
Gaelle Enganamouit (Forward): She is a strong striker who has played in Scandinavia and Spain as well as Cameroon. A former African Women’s Footballer of the Year award winner, Enganamouit knows how to score.
SQUAD
1. Annette NGO NDOM, 2. Christine MANIE, 3. Ajara NCHOUT, 4. Yvonne LEUKO, 5. Augustine EJANGUE, 6. Estelle JOHNSON, 7. Gabrielle ABOUDI ONGUENE, 8. Raissa FEUDJIO, 9. Madeleine NGONO MANI, 10. Jeannette YANGO, 11. Aurelle AWONA, 12. Claudine MEFFOMETOU, 13. Charlene MEYONG, 14. Ninon ABENA, 15. Ysis SONKENG, 16. Isabelle MAMBINGO, 17. Gaelle ENGANAMOUIT, 18. Henriette AKABA, 19. Marlyse NGO NDOUMBOUK, 20. Genevieve NGO MBELECK, 21. Alexandra TAKOUNDA, 22. Michaela ABAM, 23. Marthe ONGMAHAN
Credits:
Getty and Google