It is now do or die time at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Sixteen nations have survived the group stage and have qualified for the knockout stages.
The host nation Canadians have for the first time in their history topped their group at this prestigious competition. John Herdam and his players will face-off against Switzerland in the round of 16 Sunday afternoon in Vancouver at BC Place Stadium.
Although Canada won their group, it was in quite unconvincing fashion. Ranked 8th in the FIFA women’s world rankings, the players would have expected to have won their games with more dazzle. Instead, they beat China by the skin of their teeth with a stoppage time penalty kick, drew 0-0 against New Zealand, and conceded a late equalizer to draw the Netherlands.
Supporters have been left worried by the lack of goals and firepower from all-time leading scorer and captain Christine Sinclair. The hosts have clearly struggled with their finishing and a lot of questions have been raised regarding Herdman’s tactics.
One positive, however, remains the play of their defence. Of course Canada’s group did not contain any world superpowers, but a record of conceding just one goal in three games is respectable. Led by up-and-coming teenage star Kadeisha Buchanan, Canadian supporters will hope the defence can continue giving the team a chance to win.
A concern for Canada remains the health of experienced midfielder Sophie Schmidt. Schmidt was substituted late in their game against Netherlands after a hard tackle with Kristen Van De Ven. Schmidt is one of Canada’s best players, and will be hard void to fill if she is forced to sit Sunday’s elimination game out.
Switzerland themselves barely made it out of their group. Finishing as one of the best third place teams, the Swiss will be looking to redeem themselves. Following a 1-0 defeat to reigning World Cup champions Japan, the 19th world ranked team pumped out a big 10-1 win against Ecuador.
However, a disappointing loss to Cameroon in their final group game left in third. The 10-goal performance in itself guaranteed them a place in the knockout stages, aiding their goal differential.
Swiss head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg is sure to encourage her side to try and expose a potential Schmidt-less Canada midfield.
Forward Ramona Bachmann and midfielder Fabienne Humm will be looked upon to add to their three goal tournament tally and lead their team into the next round.
Switzerland have shown they can play and keep up with the best of them in Japan, and Canda will need to be weary of their attacking threat.
Neither side will be a push over for the other, and it promises to be an entertaining fixture. The sides have previously met four times, with Canada winning three of them and the other game resulting in a draw.