MELBOURNE: Co-hosts Austr­a­lia surged into the Women’s World Cup last 16 on Monday with Hayley Raso scoring twice in a 4-0 battering of Canada as Nigeria joined them in the knockout phase.

Olympic champions Canada were dumped out at the hands of a fired-up Australian team who knew they had to win in Melbourne to progress.

They did it in style, their big victory putting them through as Gro­up ‘B’ winners, meaning they will probably avoid European cham­pions England in the next round.

That is likely to fall on Nigeria, who were held 0-0 by already eliminated Ireland in Brisbane and finished second.

Tony Gustavsson’s Australian team came into the clash with Canada under huge pressure following a stunning 3-2 loss to Nigeria that left their tournament hopes on a knife-edge.

But rather than wilt, the Matildas thrived, to the delight of a raucous 27,706 fans who were kicking every ball.

“In the press conference yesterday someone asked if this was legacy-defining, a crossroads moment for this team, and yes it was,” said their coach Tony Gustavsson. “But we didn’t shy away from it.”

Star striker Sam Kerr, who missed Australia’s first two games with a calf injury, declared herself fit but remained on the bench as her team-mates more than compensated for her.

Real Madrid’s Raso put them ahead in the ninth minute, then made it two half an hour later with a close-range tap-in.

A shellshocked Canada made four changes at half-time as coach Bev Priestman attempted to salvage their World Cup.

But the comeback never materialised and Mary Fowler bagged Australia’s third from a counter-attack before Steph Catley sealed victory with an injury-time penalty.

“What you are seeing in women’s football is that teams are catching up,” said Canadian skipper Christine Sinclair as she fought back tears after the team’s exit from the World Cup.

“This for me is a wake-up call for back home, a wake-up call for our federation and the lack of a professional league, the lack of resources for the national teams, the lack of resources for the youth national teams.”

JAPAN THRASH SPAIN

Japan sent a World Cup warning with a clinical 4-0 thrashing of Spain.

The 2011 champions were 3-0 up by half-time in Wellington as they romped to a victory that allowed them to finish top of Group ‘C’ and set up a last-16 tie against Norway.

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice either side of a Riko Ueki goal, with Mina Tanaka wrapping up a stunning win late on.

Their first victory in five attempts over Spain was so comprehensive it suggests 11th-ranked Japan may be contenders to win the tournament.

They finish the group stage with 11 goals, more than any other team, while they are yet to concede.

Miyazawa, who was substituted at half-time, is also now the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals.

Spain, who like Japan had already qualified for the last 16 before this game, finish as runners-up in their group and now play Switzerland in Auckland on Saturday.

In the other Group ‘C’ game, Zambia won a Women’s World Cup match for the first time with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica as they ended their tournament on a high.

US, ENGLAND NEXT

On Tuesday the United States and England will look to seal their last-16 spots.

The Americans are pursuing a third World Cup title in a row but have been far from their best and were held 1-1 by the Netherlands last time out.

The USA may need a big win against Portugal to finish on top of Group ‘E’ ahead of the Netherlands, but a shock defeat would almost certainly end their tournament.

“The most important thing obviously is getting in the knockout stage first and foremost and that is our main focus right now,” said their coach, Vlatko Andonovski.

The Dutch face already eliminated Vietnam in the other match in the group.

Also on Tuesday, England only need a draw against China to be sure of going through but will be without key midfielder Keira Walsh due to a knee injury.

Denmark, who are in pole position to get out of Group ‘D’ with England, face Haiti.

If England top the group they will face Nigeria while the team that comes second in Group ‘D’ meets Australia.

Published in Dawn, Aug 1st, 2023