Women Crush Wednesday #WCW – Group E
This week we get to know more about another group in the 2019 Women’s World Cup , we are focusing on Group E. Group E includes the Netherlands, Canada, Cameroon, and New Zealand. The top two teams will automatically move on to the round of 16 and possibly the third-place team as well (if they are ranked as one of the best four). Any questionable calls will be settled by VAR (the first time it will be used).
For a random draw it’s interesting that this is the second group that will be most likely decided in the final game of the group stage, when Canada takes on the Netherlands at Stade Auguste- Delaune in Reims. There is no doubt in my mind that Canada and the Netherlands will be the number one and two coming out of Group E. But, in which order is hard to say. New Zealand could possibly get the third place birth into the knockout round but it will not be an easy feat.
The Netherlands
The reigning European Champions, the Netherlands will only be appearing in their second world cup. Their path to the finals was not an easy one. In fact, they struggled. Only showing their dominance in the playoffs, where they easily beat Denmark and Switzerland with an identical 4-1 score. The team is filled with veterans from the European Championship team and if they bring the same desire to win, they will be one of the best teams at the tournament. They have many stand out players, two of which went head to head at the women’s Champions League Final Marten, Barcelona, versus Van de Sanden, Lyon. They will definitely be a team to watch at this tournament.
Canada
Canada, the US’s little sister is coming to the tournament to step out of the shadow of the US and get some hardware for themselves. They didn’t show as well as they would have liked when the tournament was played on home soil in 2015. They were knocked out by England in the quarterfinals. But this tournament led by one of the greatest female players to ever play the game, Christine Sinclair (281 caps) they are ready to go all the way.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s road to the finals was a very pretty one. The Fern’s scored 43 goals without conceding one in the OFC Champions Cup, keeping the cup and qualifying for the tournament. Don’t let the fact that their star player Ali Riley was born in the US fool you. She is 100% Fern now. The backbone of the defense and one of the most experienced players of the tournament. She will be ready to get her Football Ferns out of the first round for the first time.
Cameroon
This is Cameroon’s second trip to the finals. At their Women’s World Cup 2015 debut they made it out of the group and into the group of 16. A better result than other countries who have been to multiple finals. With pace and skill, they will be looking to make it even farther this year. Under the tutelage of Djeumfa it is no doubt this team will be fit. He took helm of the team in January 2019, and was the team’s fitness coach previously.
Group E
Netherlands
Head Coach: Sarina Wiegman
Who to Watch: Lieke Martens
Fun Fact: They wear the color orange and are known as the Oranje Leeuwinnen (Orange Lionesses), to honor the royal family and William of Orange of course!
Ranking: 8
Canada
Head Coach: Kenneth Heiner-Moller
Who to Watch: Christine Sinclair
Fun Fact: Sinclair was one of the first women ever to appear on an EA Sports game.
Ranking: 5
New Zealand
Head Coach: Tom Sermanni
Who to Watch: Ali Riley
Fun Fact: Until 2007 football was known as soccer in New Zealand.
Ranking: 19
Cameroon
Head Coach: Alain Djeumfa
Who to Watch: Gabrielle Onguene
Fun Fact:
Ranking: 46
Do you have any questions about the tournament? Women’s football? Or anything else related to the sport? Please feel free to contact me directly or leave an inquiry in the comments below.
