Canada’s World Cup opener didn’t go according to plan, but they got the result they needed. They got bailed out by a bad China foul in the dying minutes and converted a deserved penalty, grabbing all three points in a 1-0 win. They’re playing some slightly better competition on Thursday, if the opening round is any indication.
Canada vs. New Zealand, Women’s World Cup 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
The Ferns looked decent in their opener, but lost. They need a point against Canada.
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
New Zealand lost their match against the Netherlands, but were a bit unlucky. They controlled the ball well for most of the match, kept the Oranje from creating quality chances and lost on a 25-yard wondergoal. If they turn in a similar performance against Canada, they can probably snatch a draw.
And while a draw will probably still see New Zealand on a path to finishing third in the group, they’d also be almost sure to advance with that result and a win against China. There’s no chance a team on four points won’t make the knockout stage in this new format, and getting there past one of the quality teams in this group would be an accomplishment. Plus, you never know what could happen when you get into knockout play.
Key player: Christine Sinclair
She’s the key player in every game she plays in. Canada probably can’t score without Sinclair creating something spectacular, whether that’s finding her own shot or setting up her teammates. Les Rouges have yet to show they can win against a top opponent without her being spectacular.
Key matchup: New Zealand's fullbacks vs. whoever gets in their way
The Ferns’ best players are their fullbacks, and they bomb up and down the flanks to provide their width. But their crossing wasn’t very good against New Zealand, and that will need to improve against Canada. Conversely, Canada can’t allow that to happen, and might need to account for this especially. Canada regularly play without wingers, and if they adopt a wingerless formation on Thursday, they’ll need to have some other plan for dealing with Ali Riley and Ria Percival.
Match date/time: Thursday, 9 p.m. ET
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada
TV: FOX Sports 1 (U.S.), CTV, RDS, TSN2 (Canada), BBC Red Button (U.K.), Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Online: FOX Sports Go, FOX Soccer 2 Go, NBC Deportes en vivo extra (U.S.), TSN (Canada), BBC iPlayer (U.K.), Sky Go (New Zealand)
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