FIFA Women's World Cup

[dogmeat]

@JK There are 32 competing nations and only the co-hosts didn't have to qualify.

Like any FIFA tournament they look for a geographical spread rather than the top 30 countries. Otherwise NZ would never qualify for the mens event.

11 qualified from Europe
5 from Asia
4 from Africa
4 from Nth America
3 from Sth America

Philippines got through to Asian qualifying semi-finals which is how they qualified. Vietnam won a play-off from the losing 1/4 Finalist's

3 teams qualified by winning through an Inter Confederation play-off in NZ last Feb - Portugal, Haiti and Panama

Panama 52, Haiti 53, Morocco 72 and Zambia 77 are all ranked below Philippines.

All up eight of the qualifiers are outside the top 32

[JK]

So can we beat Philippines? We are no 26 in the world. Surely.....

[Bovidae]

They are also targeting the Switzerland game. To state the obvious, NZ needs to score goals as that has been the problem against non-Oceania opposition.

I'll be interested in watching Hegerberg tonight.

[canefan]

Word cup? Is that like a giant spelling bee?

[Stargazer]

Here's the match schedule:

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/tv-programme?intcmp=(p_fifaplus)_(d_)_(c_webheader-fwwc2023)_(sc_tvprogramme)_(ssc_)_(da_07072023)_(l_en)&country=NZ&wtw-filter=ALL

[KiwiMurph]

Excellent crowd.

[canefan]

@KiwiMurph said in FIFA Women's Word Cup:

Excellent crowd.

What time is kickoff?

[MiketheSnow]

Can’t wait

This may put it in to perspective for the non believers

[KiwiMurph]

@canefan said in FIFA Women's Word Cup:

@KiwiMurph said in FIFA Women's Word Cup:

Excellent crowd.

What time is kickoff?

Right now

[KiwiMurph]

More competitive opening 20 than I was expecting. Good stuff.

[sparky]

Great start so far by NZ.

[Donsteppa]

Lots of good positions and half chances. Still 0-0.

[Mattasaurus]

Looks like we have the Norwegians rattled a bit

[Bovidae]

Wilkinson's heavy touch has let her down a couple of times. NZ aren't out of the game.

[No Quarter]

Fantastic first half, we finished stronger!

[sparky]

A great first half by the Football Ferns. Really frustrating Norway and getting big support from the crowd.

Norway defence looks slow. Could be a chance if NZ can get a fast runner on the end of a straight, long ball.

[Chris B.]

That's very good from the Ferns - I was mainly hoping we wouldn't concede in the first five minutes, but we've dominated that half.

Need one or two more who are willing to pull the trigger and shoot - we seem to be looking for a few extra touches.

[MiketheSnow]

Good start to the tournament

A home win would be massive

[ACT Crusader]

@MiketheSnow said in FIFA Women's World Cup:

Good start to the tournament

A home win would be massive

Norway are a good side and move the ball well. It would be a massive win.

Norways last few results:
3-3 draw with Sweden. Sweden ranked #3
4-2 loss to Spain. Spain ranked #6
0-0 draw with France. France ranked #5

[sparky]

Get in!!!!!!