Group B: Australia | Republic of Ireland | Nigeria | Canada

Group B chat in here

My predictions:
Australia 2-0 Ireland - Ireland not a bad side but Aus must be too strong on opening night in front of a huge crowd
Nigeria 2-2 Canada - something of an upset but Canada haven't had a good year, and may be a wild opening game result (Nigeria also aren't bad)
Canada 1-0 Ireland - a close game that Canada will just about edge to their relief
Australia 3-1 Nigeria - Australia should cruise in this game
Canada 1-2 Australia - once again home crowd advantage makes me feel that Aus win this one
Ireland 2-2 Nigeria - spirited and entertaining draw with Nigeria trying to catch Canada.

Australia go on to the quarters, Canada out in the RO16

FIFA Preview show for this group on Sky Go here:
https://www.skygo.co.nz/watch/mac_sh_144332/mac_11644428?playbackOrigin=Content%20Highlights%2C%20Replays%20%26%20Shows&playerReferrer=Content%20Details

Respect for the Aus game having a moment of silence for the Aucks tragedy today.

Watching in silence in hotel room with kids asleep. Looked like a clear penalty right?

ahmad

Watching in silence in hotel room with kids asleep. Looked like a clear penalty right?

Right

Woah. Aussie just held on at the end there. Couple tense moments for them.

A win is a win but that was pretty scrappy from Aus. The Irish defended well and went close to equalising several times in the last 10 minutes.

Irish owned the last 10 minutes. Aussie were lucky to hang on.

Aussies really missing that Kerr factor up front, lucky they have Nigeria next instead of Canada with her meant to be out for two games.

First red card of the tournament. Horrific tackle at the end of Nigeria-Canada. Not sure why that needed to go to VAR to check or how she's avoided a broken leg there.

Be a Hoot if NZ went through and Aussie went out. they were lucky to win their opener. They have 2 players whom should have been given 2 yellows 3 times each for constant fowl play.

LG

Be a Hoot if NZ went through and Aussie went out. they were lucky to win their opener. They have 2 players whom should have been given 2 yellows 3 times each for constant fowl play.

Match officials must have chickened out....

LG

Be a Hoot if NZ went through and Aussie went out. they were lucky to win their opener. They have 2 players whom should have been given 2 yellows 3 times each for constant fowl play.

What about Katie McCabe though? Also they were the better side and Ireland only attacked later on when they were chasing the game. 

LG

Be a Hoot if NZ went through and Aussie went out. they were lucky to win their opener. They have 2 players whom should have been given 2 yellows 3 times each for constant fowl play.

 Hmmm nah, would mean that crowd numbers over in Aus may dwindle somewhat. We don't really want that. Would prefer if we both got through and beat them in the knockout stages (we can only dream)

anaveragestem

LG

Be a Hoot if NZ went through and Aussie went out. they were lucky to win their opener. They have 2 players whom should have been given 2 yellows 3 times each for constant fowl play.

 Hmmm nah, would mean that crowd numbers over in Aus may dwindle somewhat. We don't really want that. Would prefer if we both got through and beat them in the knockout stages (we can only dream)

Only possible way we meet them is either the final or 3rd/4th playoff. You never know...

Ireland could be pulling off the first non-NZ upset win of the tournament - well deserving of the lead getting near to half time against a rattled Canada who look pretty average. 

2-1 to Canada after 76.

1-1 half time. Aussie go 1 up late in the first half and Falcons equalise with last kick of the half! Big crowd but there's a few pockets of empty seats. Must be half of the crowd are School girls judging by the pitch/tone of the crowd.

And that female co-commentator. Lady, just say nothing. You keep talking the bleeding obvious & cliche's galore, it's annoying, you are not offering anything to the discussion. Just shoosh up !!

3-1 Nigeria after 73 minutes. Aussie defence letting them down.

LG

3-1 Nigeria after 73 minutes. Aussie defence letting them down.

 Love it!

86 minutes, still 3-1, Aussie female commentator sounding desperate.

101th minute 3-2 - Yes, 11 minutes of injury time. Final score.

What a fudgeing result for Nigeria! Leaves Australia in a bit of trouble now needing to beat higher ranked Canada to go through. Draw only enough if Ireland beat Nigeria by 2 or more.

"Let's fudgeing go" from the Nigerian player in the post match interview. Love it.

Tonight, I feel Nigerian!

Well in by them though. Absolutely fantastic performance.

Had this one down as an Aussie win, but full credit. Probably puts the Ferns v Nigeria earlier in the year into context as well. 

The commentator at the end there probably regretting asking the player to say something to the Nigerian supporters back home. 🤣🤣🤣

"Let's farking go!" 

Will Sam Kerr play against Canada? A nation on edge.
Could both hosts fail to get out of their pools

Gee. Aussie goal keeper had a bit of a shocker for both those 2nd half goals.

huge upset there!
this tourney has been great for the minnows - some real upset results!

Kerr available! Gives that final game an extra bit of needle. Aussie bring in perhaps the best striker in the women’s game. Will NZ change anything up? 

martinb

Kerr available! Gives that final game an extra bit of needle. Aussie bring in perhaps the best striker in the women’s game. Will NZ change anything up? 

NZ to bring in Abby Erceg ;)

Huge huge pressure on the Aussies to win this. Canada are the Olympic champs and will be very difficult to beat.Nigeria could beat Ireland and Australia would be out of the competition. 

20230731_213640.jpg 2.62 MB

Sky accidentally started with a Canadian pitchside broadcaster doing her intro, then a sudden cut to the technical glitch screen. Ah, lads sort your feed out. Lol. Who needs pre-game analysis when you can watch ads for Sky Movies. 

That VAR goal could’ve been handy for us against the Philippines…

Aussie home and hosed without even having to risk Kerr. 

I expected more from Canada, they have good players while the Matildas looked shaky in their game against Nigeria.