Womens world cup 2023

There is hardly any excitement of watching a sporting clash without historic context. There is a reason why India-Pakistan clash creates the kind of buzz it does or why the Australia-England rivalry is as celebrated as it is. For all the talk that matches are not won or lost with the statistics or what has happened in the past, it does play a role in build up to the game and it does play a part as some victories taste sweeter than others.

If India were to overcome their disappointment of their Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 where they came so close yet remained so far, stumbling at the final hurdle, it would just be the most perfect redemption story but the fact that they have the same opponents against them who were there that historic evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground- Australia- would make it all the more meaningful for the Women in Blue.

However, it would also mean that the Asian would need to have their best day in the competition to beat Australia in the semifinal. Make no mistake, India beating Australia would be no less than an upset. The Aussies have clinched 22 of the 30 T20I matches that they have played against India with India clinching just six wins. It is also pertinent to note in this regard that the Aussies have won 54 of 63 T20Is which they have played since the beginning of 2018, making them a runaway favourite in this match.

To make matters worse, India’s Harmanpreet Kaur remains doubtful but whosoever takes the field for India would go out there to give their best. If they can play their best, they will have a chance to beat but if they fumble, like this team has in the past in the crunch games, then this Aussie side is too good a team to let any opportunity go.

Fasten your seat belts and get set for an exciting game of cricket.

Hierro stepped up to become interim coach after Julen Lopetegui was sensationally sacked on the eve of the World Cup following the announcement he was to take charge at Real Madrid at the end of the tournament.

Spain subsequently qualified from the group stage but went out to hosts Russia at the last-16 stage following a penalty shoot-out in Moscow.

Hierro was not expected to continue as coach after the World Cup but the RFEF has announced he will not stay with the organisation in any role.

“The last Spanish coach declined to return to his previous position as sports director of the RFEF to seek new horizons and undertake new professional challenges,” the RFEF said.

“The RFEF wants to thank Fernando Hierro for his commitment and sense of responsibility when he took over the national team in extraordinary circumstances as well as in the performance of all his duties.

“The Federation wants to highlight the professional and human values ​​of an extraordinary athlete.”

OFICIAL | Fernando Hierro y la RFEF comunican que, pese a tener contrato en vigor como Director Deportivo, declina seguir en el cargo. https://t.co/Gm7PwfhqSO pic.twitter.com/Pkpi8Bgpwu

— RFEF (@rfef) July 8, 2018

Roberto Martinez, who has led Belgium to the semi-finals of the World Cup, is among the coaches to have been linked with taking the Spain role.

Martinez played down the links ahead of a quarter-final defeat of tournament favourites Brazil, with former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique also reported to be on the RFEF shortlist along with Michel and Quique Sanchez Flores.

Source: OPTA

Here, the PA news agency picks five players to look out for in the WSL as the new campaign gets underway.

Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

First training session with The Arsenal.

Welcome, @alessiarusso7 pic.twitter.com/wuKmtbwSxl

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) August 29, 2023

Arsenal tried and failed – with a rumoured world-record bid – to reach an agreement with Manchester United to sign England forward Russo during the January transfer window, but the Gunners finally landed their coveted target on a free transfer in July.

Russo hit 10 goals in the WSL last season as United finished runners-up to champions Chelsea and was boss Sarina Wiegman’s first-choice centre forward for the World Cup, where she netted three times for the runners-up.

With Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema also set for imminent returns from their respective anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, head coach Jonas Eidevall will boast an intimidating wealth of options in attack.

Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United)

Say hello to our newest Red: Hinata Miyazawa #MUWomen

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 6, 2023

While Brazil international Geyse, a Champions League winner last season with Barcelona, will likely be seen as the most direct replacement for Russo, boss Marc Skinner will also be buoyed by the arrival of Japan international Miyazawa from WE League side MyNavi Sendai.

Versatile Miyazawa’s five goals in four games at the World Cup were good enough to secure her the tournament’s Golden Boot, and her breakthrough performance also landed the 23-year-old nominations for both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best Women’s Player of 2023.

With United playing more matches this season after securing a Champions League berth for the first time, Miyazawa adds pivotal depth to Skinner’s squad.

Mary Fowler (Manchester City)

While Fowler is not a new face at Manchester City, where she signed a four-year deal last June, the forward may find herself under a much brighter spotlight this season after helping Australia reach a first-ever semi-final in a Women’s World Cup.

Fowler was instrumental in ensuring the Matildas secured safe passage out of the group stage even without prolific striker and skipper Sam Kerr, who returned for the knockouts following a calf injury.

The 20-year-old netted in Australia’s 4-0 group stage victory over Canada, teed up Caitlin Foord with a brilliant through ball in her side’s last-16 victory over Denmark and scored a perfect penalty against France in a nervy quarter-final shootout – the longest in Women’s World Cup history – to solidify her status as one to watch.

Catarina Macario (Chelsea)

A smile to make you smile! pic.twitter.com/6f6tWEiKJO

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) August 8, 2023

Macario became one of the many victims of the ACL injury crisis plaguing women’s football whilst playing for Lyon in June 2022 and has yet to return to action – but that did not stop WSL title-holders Chelsea from signing the 23-year-old to a three-year deal in July.

Though still in the early stages of her career, the American forward, who joins the Blues after two seasons with Lyon, has already accomplished something her decorated new boss Emma Hayes has not: winning a Champions League trophy.

Macario, who can play as a central striker or an attacking midfielder, scored 23 goals in 33 games for Lyon in 2021/22 and could prove a key component of Hayes’ European plans once deemed fit to return.

Daphne van Domselaar (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa boss Carla Ward was in search of a new goalkeeper after former first choice Hannah Hampton, whose contract had expired, also joined Hayes’ ranks over the summer.

Villa, who finished fifth last season, have signalled their intent to take on the league’s top sides with a busy transfer window and were delighted after beating big European challengers to secure the services of Netherlands goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar from FC Twente for the next three years.

The three-time Eredivisie Vrouwen winner, who joins Villa from FC Twente, was also the Netherlands’ first-choice shot-stopper at the World Cup.

Spain’s World Cup campaign descended into chaos just two days before their opening game with Portugal, as Lopetegui was fired as a result of agreeing to join Real Madrid after the event.

Fernando Hierro, Spain’s director of football at the time, stepped in to take the reins over the course of the tournament, as La Roja were eliminated in the last 16 by Russia in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

Luis Enrique did not do too badly in his last job: pic.twitter.com/YpHEZKs2Ac

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 9, 2018

Hierro left his post as coach and subsequently resigned from his role as director of football as well, leaving RFEF president Luis Rubiales with significant planning to do.

It emerged on Sunday that Rubiales was to put forward Lopetegui’s successor to the RFEF’s board on Monday and, shortly after doing so, Luis Enrique’s appointment was made official.

Earlier, former Spain goalkeeper Jose Molina was announced as the RFEF’s new sporting director , succeeding Hierro.

Molina, who was capped nine times by his country, enjoyed a long career in Spanish football with the likes of Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna – winning La Liga with the latter two.

The 47-year-old has tried his hand at coaching, most recently working for Kitchee in Hong-Kong, India’s ATK Kolkata and Atletico San Luis of Mexico, getting sacked by the latter in February.

Molina was a team-mate of RFEF president Luis Rubiales at Levante towards the end of his career and will likely work closely with the new coach, expected to be confirmed as Luis Enrique later on Monday.

Source: OPTA