Australia eyes their fifth quarter finals as they take on Denmark in the round of 16 tie on Monday.
AUS-W vs DEN-W Match Details
Date: Monday, 7 August 2023
Time: 16:00 (IST) / 20:30 (ACT)
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
AUS-W vs DEN-W Match Preview
Australia were facing the same faith as their eliminated co-hosts New Zealand in the final group game against Canada. Winning narrowly against Ireland and suffering a shock loss to Nigeria, both without their injured record-scorer Sam Kerr, Matildas were left all to do to qualify for the knockout round for the fifth time and consecutively. With so much at stake, Tony Gustavsson’s side went up a different gear to outmuscle the Olympic gold medalists 4-0. Real Madrid winger Hayley Raso scored a splendid brace in the first half joined by Mary Fowler scoring on her return from concussion injury after the break and Steph Catley netting the second penalty awarded to Australia in the tournament. Knocking Canada out and finishing above Nigeria at the top of the group despite an injury crisis marks a successful initial stage of the competition for the Matildas. The record victory in their tournament history gives the Australian enough self-belief and confidence now to go deeper into the competition. They know Denmark will throw a similar challenge in the round of 16 stage like the others faced till now. Having the experience of opening teams based on defensive solidity without Kerr and avoiding the likes of England early in the knockouts for their group position, the approach for the clash will be positive.
Denmark knew they had a tough group to handle consisting of Asian champions China, Euro winners England and tricky customers Haiti. So, finishing as runners-up on their return to the Women’s World Cup stage since 2007 will not pinch them as much. Even though it sets a tough round of 16 fixture against competition co-hosts Australia revitalized with their big win over Canada. The Dane made it to the knockouts for the third time in their history and will be looking for their first-ever win at this stage. Their last-gasp victory over China, almost sealing a point in the 1-0 loss to the Lionesses and seeing off Haiti 2-0 showed the team’s determination to make opponents uncomfortable facing them. With their top-scorer Pernille Harder getting her first goal in the finals, Denmark will be optimistic to add more finishing in the attack as well to trouble Australia’s backline. Their solidity is an obvious trait having conceded just three goals in the last five games and also defeating the likes of Sweden and Japan in that period. To double on that, the Danes emerged 3-2 victors over the Matildas in the last meeting played two years ago. However, the Asian giants will be a totally different side to face this time.
Recent Form (Women’s World Cup)
AUS-W: WLW
DEN-W: WLW
AUS-W vs DEN-W Predicted Lineups
AUS-W: Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Van Egmond; Foord, Fowler
DEN-W: Christensen; Sevecke, Pedersen, Boye, Veje; Hasbo, Holmgaard, Kuhl; Vansgaard, Harder Madsen
AUS-W vs DEN-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Christensen (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 103)
DEF: Carpenter (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 95), Catley (Cr - 9, Pts - 223), Veje (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 83)
MID: Raso (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 186), Vansgaard (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 102), Gorry (Cr - 8, Pts - 108), Cooney-Cross (Cr - 8, Pts - 105)
FW: Fowler (Cr - 7, Pts - 68), Harder (Cr - 9, Pts - 116), Foord (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 76)
Vice-captain: Katrina Gorry or Pernille Harder
Captain: Hayley Raso
