2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Norway vs Australia Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Norway vs Australia taking place? Saturday 22nd June 2019 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Norway vs Australia taking place? Stade de Nice, Nice
What television channel is Norway vs Australia on? BBC Two
Where can I stream Norway vs Australia? UK users can stream this match via BBC iPlayer
Where can I get tickets for Norway vs Australia? https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/organisation/ticketing/
THE TEAM NEWS
NORWAY
- Norway finished second in Group A with wins against Nigeria and South Korea sandwiching their 2-1 defeat against host nation France. This is the seventh time in eight appearances that they have reached the knockout stages but they have not progressed further than the round of 16 since 2007.
- Their vital victory against South Korea owed much to the stellar centre-back pairing of Maren Mjelde and Maria Thorisdottir who play their club football together at Chelsea and behind them in goal the vastly experienced 39-year-old goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth produced some key interventions.
- Winger Caroline Graham Hansen suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 win over South Korea and had to leave the field. She has taken part in training but they may leave it as late as possible to make a decision on her participation as she is an important attacking player and would be missed.
AUSTRALIA
- Australia finished second in Group C to qualify for the knockout stages. They started the tournament with a 2-1 defeat against Italy but recovered to win back-to-back matches against Brazil and Jamaica to book a berth in the round of 16.
- A tremendous four-goal haul from star striker Sam Kerr guided them to a 4-1 victory in their final group match against Jamaica, and in doing so she became the first Australian to score a hat-trick at the World Cup.
- This is the fourth time Australia have made it past the group stage at the World Cup. In each of the past three tournaments, they have been knocked out in the quarter-finals.
THE PREDICTION
Norway and Australia do battle for place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup having come through the group stage in similar fashion with two wins and a defeat from their three matches. Norway were able to have an extra day to prepare for this fixture which will have also given them time to assess the fitness of Caroline Graham Hansen which could be vital to their chances of progression. Australia have an undoubted goal threat in Sam Kerr and her tussle with the very competent Norwegian backline will be fascinating. This has the makings of a close match that could go all the way to a penalty shoot-out.
