It’s Norway and then everyone else. That’s how Group A will shake out, even with hosts New Zealand trying to defend home territory from two European foes and a debutant from Asia. The runaway favorites to win the group are the Nordic, who will be one of the countries making the journey from the northern tip of Earth all the way south for the global showcase. This is the first FIFA Women’s World Cup where there’s guaranteed to be only two teams advancing from every group, as the tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams for this edition, just in time for their male counterparts to also grow from 32 to 48 teams. Who else has a shot in Group A? The increase in eight female teams making their way to Australia and New Zealand means three teams are most likely fighting for one spot to advance to the knockout stage, where they’ll likely run into Japan. While the World Cup is always full of upsets, just ask Argentina prior to lifting the trophy about how it started festivities in Qatar, there’s less parity on the women’s side, evidenced by the United States going for an unprecedented third-straight World Cup victory. Norway could crumble under the pressure of the world stage, but it won’t be likely against three countries they have much more firepower than. Every host country in the history of the Women’s World Cup has made at least the quarterfinals of the tournament, with a shocking number of those on home soil losing without making the Final Four. Only the United States in 1999 and 2003 didn’t falter before the semifinals with the Americans in the previous millennium being the only host country to win. And who can ever forget that penalty-kick shootout win over China in the Rose Bowl? Sales for sports bras skyrocketed. Anyway, that streak is in serious jeopardy of ending this year, if it’s not a certainty with New Zealand falling short. Australia’s in Group B and has a good shot at making it that far with an in-form striker like Sam Kerr, while the Kiwis don’t have any player of that quality. It’s not close to a certainty that New Zealand makes it out of the group, although I’d give that coin-flip odds with Switzerland. That leaves out the Philippines, who’ve never been on this stage before. Although I don’t think the land of Kamayan feasts has a chance to advance, it does have tons of American ties. Forward Isabella Flanigan plays at West Virginia, defender Maya Alcantara suits up for Georgetown, and 17-year-old goalkeeper Kaiya Jota is a Stanford Cardinal. If you think that’s young, meet Isabella Pasion, who instead of representing the Philippines from a college or professional team, is doing so out of Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco, Texas. The 16-year-old already has five international caps and is less than half the age of team captain Tahnai Annis. While the Philippines are no doubt Group A’s Cinderella, what a great story it would be to see them have success. You couldn’t write that stuff with AI. Norway will win the day The most talented player in the group is likely Switzerland’s Ana-Maria Crnogorčević, who plays for Barcelona’s women’s team. With 145 caps and 70 goals for the Swiss, she’s a legitimate threat to win the Golden Boot if the Swiss make a deep run. The former Portland Thorn is the most-capped player called into the tournament by Switzerland head coach Inka Grings, and the expectations on her to deliver on the world stage will be huge. So what’s my final prediction? Norway wins the group with Switzerland finishing as runners-up. The Philippines comes in third with a shock victory over co-hosts New Zealand, who don’t win a game at the global showcase. Relatedfootball bettinglegit nfl betting sitesbest college football sportsbooknba sportsbookbet on mlb gamesbest nhl sportsbooksufc sportsbooksbest betting sites for soccerbest online copa america betting sites
Related Posts
Claudio Ranieri is delighted to have the race for the Premier League title in Leicester City s own hands and continues to feel relaxed ahead of their game at home to Southampton on Sunday.
In an astonishing season, table-topping Leicester sit five points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham with seven matches to play.
They have failed to defeat Southampton in their last eight top-flight matches, though, with Ronald Koeman s men still having plenty to play for as they sit seventh and in pursuit of a European spot after victories over Stoke City and Liverpool.
The reverse fixture in October saw Leicester come from two goals down to dramatically draw 2-2 thanks to a Jamie Vardy double and Ranieri insisted there is less pressure on his team now than in the early s…
Manchester United s faltering pursuit of runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City hit another bump in the road on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton.
United welcomed Southampton to Old Trafford having failed to pick up a win from their previous two top-flight fixtures, drawing 2-2 at Leicester City before labouring to the same result at home to Burnley on Boxing Day.
The hosts lost Romelu Lukaku to a head injury after only eight minutes and, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic omitted from the squad by Jose Mourinho, introduced Marcus Rashford to lead the line.
But United failed to cause goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – in for the dropped Fraser Forster – any real problems, although they did have a goal disallowed late on after an offside Paul P…
Alessandro Nesta could make his debut for Indian Super League leaders Chennaiyin when they face Kerala Blasters on Sunday.
The 38-year-old last played for MLS side Montreal Impact in October 2013, but came out of retirement on Friday to link up with Marco Materazzi s men, who head the table by two points following their 3-0 defeat to NorthEast United on Thursday.
Much of the focus in Kochi will be on 2006 World Cup winner Nesta, however, home side Kerala will be keen to upstage the veteran by bouncing back from their 3-0 loss at Goa on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper and manager David James has faith that the Blasters can cause Chennaiyin difficulties.
Chennai are a very good team. It is going to be a tough test tomorrow and to think that it will be an easy gam…
Alexis Sanchez is set to leave Arsenal in the coming days. But unlike many believed during the past few weeks, it seems he won t arrive to Manchester City. Instead, all signs point to Manchester United signing the Chilean star.
The Red Devils sneaked into the race to acquire Alexis during the past week, and the deal is reportedly close to be completed. Manchester United first offered £20M + Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and took advantage of the fact that City seemingly dropped out of the race. United agreed to personal terms with both the player and the agent, and Sanchez was not part of Arsenal s loss to Bournemouth this Sunday. Even Arsene Wenger said a decision on the Chile winger will be made in the next 48 hours .
As such, it is worth start thinking what could the former …
Mathieu Valbuena admits that France are ambitious going into Euro 2012 and feel they can cause an upset at the tournament.
Laurent Blanc hopes to lead Les Bleus to a more successful tournament than their failure in the 2010 World Cup, and the Olympique de Marseille man has talked up his side s chances.
We want to rebuild the image of the France team, the attacker said.
We knew the World Cup was going to stick with us for quite some time.
We will show great things at the Euros. We are ambitious. There is quality in this group. Many things have changed.
Everybody is concentrating, focused on this objective to have a great tournament. We are not favourites, some nations are more advanced than us, but we are capable of causing an upset.
…
Here is a list of players that might set the Premier League alight this season. There are many more, but here are ten to keep your eye on. They are listed in club alphabetical order only;
Ashley Young – Aston Villa
Many people raised a quizzical eyebrow when Aston Villa parted with £9 million to prize Ashley Young away from Watford. I’m a Watford fan and I was one of them! I knew he was good, but £9 million seemed to be way over the odds.
Well, disbelievers like me were beginning to be proved wrong last season when his powerful and direct running together with superb delivery from set pieces saw him gain rave reviews and international recognition.
I expect him to go from strength to strength this season and bec…
We´re still in a backward society – Fred hits out after allegedly being racially abused and struck b
Fred hit out at the backward society we live in after the Manchester United midfielder was allegedly racially abused and struck by a lighter in his team s 2-1 derby win over Manchester City.
A City supporter appeared to make racial gestures in the direction of Fred and team-mate Jesse Lingard in Saturday s Premier League showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
The incident happened when Fred went to take a corner in the second half, with a series of objects also being hurled towards the Brazil international.
City released a statement to say they are working closely with Greater Manchester Police and have vowed to ban for life any supporter found guilty of racism.
Former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred confirmed he was hit by one missile and is eager for the mat…
Antonio Conte has stressed there will be no second chances for Inter when they take on Barcelona in a crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Inter welcome Barca to San Siro sitting second in Group F, level on seven points with Borussia Dortmund, who face Slavia Prague.
The Nerazzurri who hold a two-point lead over Juventus at the top of Serie A must at least match Dortmund s result to ensure their place in the knockout stages.
While Conte is not thinking too far ahead in regard to how far his team can go in the competition, he emphasised Inter must grasp their final opportunity to progress.
This is a very important game for me and the club. Our qualification hopes are on the line. It is a very big moment in our season, Conte told a news conference.
Chile full-back Mauricio Isla is eager to remain at Juventus and secure a starting place in Antonio Conte s XI.
The 26-year-old, who can also play in midfield, is currently in action at the FIFA World Cup and has helped his country to victories over Australia and Spain.
Despite being a regular in Jorge Sampaoli s side, Isla has struggled to merit a regular berth at the Juventus Stadium since arriving from Udinese in 2012 and made just 18 Serie A outings last term
However, Isla is hopeful he can become an important figure for the Scudetto holders.
I am working hard for both Chile and Juventus, for me it is all good, he said.
Will I stay at Juventus? I know that all the fans support me.
I have learned from many players at Juventus and c…
Marseille have completed the signing of winger Romain Alessandrini from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes.
The details of the contract have not been released by Marseille, but the 25-year-old is reported to have signed a four-year deal at the Stade Velodrome.
Born in Marseille, the move sees Alessandrini return to his home town and he becomes the club s first major signing since Marcelo Bielsa was announced as their new coach in May.
Alessandrini joined Rennes in 2012 from Clermont Foot and consistently caught the eye with his strong performances at the Stade de Route de Lorient.
His form in in Brittany in 2012-13 earned him a call-up to the France squad for their February 2013 friendly with Germany, although he was an unused substitute for the game.
Alessan…