One co-host is out. Can Sam Kerr and Australia avoid the same fate?

The strain is on for Australia. The Australians entered this Women’s World Cup as co-hosts trying to win the match on house soil, and rapidly struggled.

After dropping their star striker Sam Kerr proper earlier than the first sport, Australia eked out a win over scrappy Ireland, 1-0, earlier than falling to Nigeria, 3-2. Now, the Australians are in a struggle for his or her match lives, effectively needing a win over Canada to advance. The excellent news is that Kerr is again, as she mentioned on Saturday that she could be accessible in opposition to Canada. But she received’t begin, her workforce mentioned Monday simply earlier than the sport, and it stays to be seen how a lot she would possibly play, if in any respect.

The Australians will take all she can provide as they attempt to beat a Canadian workforce that shares their title ambitions.

Canada vs. Australia

The most anticipated matchup of Group B sees Canada, attempting to determine itself as a contender regardless of a shaky begin, dealing with the host nation Australia, a workforce that faltered in its most up-to-date loss to Nigeria, 3-2. Australia misplaced three key gamers to harm forward of that Nigeria match, together with Kerr, its main scorer and the face of the workforce who has missed the first two video games of this match. Kerr, who sustained a calf harm in coaching forward of the opening match, mentioned Saturday that she is again coaching and will be available for the game against Canada.

If Canada wins, Australia is out of this World Cup. Canada has received its final three matchups with Australia, and will also be looking to avoid a loss to have the finest shot at advancing to the knockout rounds.

Ireland vs. Nigeria

This is Ireland’s final match on this World Cup, after a loss to Canada eradicated the workforce final week. Its farewell received’t be a straightforward one. Nigeria is presently main Group B after drawing with Canada, 0-0, and upsetting Australia, 3-2. With the Irish exiting regardless, their final act might be enjoying spoiler — in the event that they shock Nigeria with a win, the Nigerians’ chances of advancing will depend on purpose distinction.

But Nigeria has proved to be a lot stronger than its No. 40 rating would counsel. “I would say that we were underestimated and underappreciated,” Coach Randy Waldrum said on Sunday. As it stands, the Nigerians are poised to make the knockout rounds for simply the third time in the program’s historical past.