Sports Journalist · 9 articles
England have never progressed further than the last 8 of the tournament and will need to silence the noisy home crowd.
Over 50,000 are expected in Vancouver where hosts Canada take on England in the World Cup quarter final.
Women’s World Cup hosts Canada recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Switzerland to seal their passage in to the quarterfinals in front of a bumper crowd.
The home nation are yet to concede in the tournament largely in part to their star player Erin McLeod.
New Zealand finished bottom of Group A following a 2-2 draw with China who progressed to the knockout rounds as group runner-ups.
The Kiwis found themselves 1-0 up inside the first half an hour of the fixture but a controversial penalty decision let China back in to the game.
Canada and the Netherlands played out a 1-1 draw in a result that sees the host nation top Group A while the World Cup debutants must wait to see if other results go their way.
Ashley Lawrence scored for Canada inside the first ten minutes before a spirited Dutch team gave themselves a fighting chance of qualifying for a best third-placed finish with a late Kirsten Van De Ven equaliser.
Tournament hosts Canada were held to a goalless draw by New Zealand in a result that leaves all four teams in group A able to qualify for the knockout rounds with one fixture remaining.
New Zealand will be disappointed they didn’t come away with three points against the host nation after missing a penalty in the first half.
After dominating the game, China had to wait until the 91st minute to get the winning goal in their Group A fixture against the Netherlands.
The victory leaves the Asian side joint on points with their opponents with a slightly easier final fixture against New Zealand left to play.
The Netherlands began their first ever World Cup with a 1-0 victory over New Zealand after Lieke Martens’ 33rd minute wonder strike.
The Dutch side will now play China on Thursday in what could be a crucial match for deciding who gets through to the knockouts from Group A.
World Cup hosts Canada needed a stoppage time penalty to see off China in the opening game of the 2015 tournament in front of a record crowd.
Both teams hit the woodwork in a thrilling first half before the game was ultimately decided at the death by Canada captain Christine Sinclair from the spot.
Group A boasts the tournament hosts Canada and new additions, the Netherlands, who make their debut appearance in the competition.
Group A will kick off the tournament on June 6th.