Women's World Cup Wednesday predictions: Japan can fill their boots
Recommended bets:
- Japan to score over 3.5 goals
- Spain to win & both teams to score
- Draw in Canada vs Ireland
Group C holds the greater focus on Wednesday as the second round of matches are played out with Japan and Spain jostling for the lead, while the game between Canada and the Republic of Ireland in Group B rounds off the day's action.
Japan vs Costa Rica (Wednesday, 6am)
Japan cruised past Zambia 5-0 in their opening Group C game and the 2011 world champions should enjoy another easy success when they face Costa Rica in Dunedin.
The Central Americans were left licking their wounds after a 3-0 loss to Spain but the margin of victory could have been even greater.
Spain cantered to a three-goal lead in the first half an hour and then missed a penalty with goalkeeper Daniela Solera keeping them at bay as La Roja dominated.
Boosted by their opening win, strong favourites Japan should be confident about creating a host of chances themselves.
Spain vs Zambia (Wednesday, 8.30am)
Zambia’s capitulation against Japan was a bit of a surprise because it was not that long ago that the Africans beat Germany 3-2 in a friendly.
They would have definitely expected to have put up a better show in their opener, so they could go on the front foot when they face Spain at Eden Park in Auckland.
While Spain were in cruise control for the last hour in their 3-0 win over Costa Rica, and have scored 24 goals without conceding in their last five matches, they could allow themselves to be complacent.
La Roja need to keep an eye on Zambia’s Barbra Banda, who scored nine goals in eight games before the Japan defeat, including hat-tricks against the Netherlands and China at the Tokyo Olympics.
Canada vs Ireland (Wednesday, 1pm)
Olympic champions Canada were uninspiring in their opening goalless draw with Nigeria and they could be further frustrated by Ireland, who need to avoid defeat in Perth to keep their World Cup dream alive.
Canada have won just one of their last six games and it could be that an ongoing row about money with the authorities could be taking its toll.
Ireland fell to a 1-0 loss to co-hosts Australia in their first game, but the Matildas needed a penalty to break the resistance from the Girls in Green, and a similar tale could be played out in this Group B clash.
Canada should go on the front foot with a game against the Aussies still to come but Vera Pauw’s side were strong in their opening game.
