Women's World Cup Reigniting Rivalries in Group E

 Women's World Cup Reigniting Rivalries in Group E

Women's World Cup Reigniting Rivalries in Group E(Image-Getty)

The upcoming Women's World Cup match will reignite the rivalry between the United States and the Netherlands, marking their second group stage encounter. This face-off comes four years after the Americans secured victory over the Oranje in the final, earning their fourth crown.

However, the Dutch team will miss their all-time leading goal scorer, Vivianne Miedema, due to injury. Nevertheless, they possess a wealth of experience from the core of their 2019 squad, which remains largely intact, giving them something to bank on compared to the Americans.

Yet, U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski sees a different perspective. He believes that the unknowns and unpredictability within their squad could serve as an advantage, especially considering the presence of young players who approach the game with a sense of freedom and lack of stress.

Midfielder Rose Lavelle from the United States acknowledges the past encounters but refuses to dwell on them. She expects another tough match against the Dutch, recalling their physicality, intensity, technical prowess, and proficiency in set-pieces.

Netherlands coach Andries Jonker shows respect for the American side but emphasizes that his team does not fear them. He anticipates an exemplary display of modern women's football as they compete for the top spot in Group E, predicting a fiercely contested battle from the first to the last minute.

In the same group, Portugal will face Vietnam, providing the two World Cup debutants with an opportunity to secure their first win.

Meanwhile, Australia will take on Nigeria, but they will be without injured striker Sam Kerr, forward Mary Fowler, and defender Aivi Luik, as injuries continue to take a toll on the co-hosts. Nonetheless, vice-captain Steph Catley asserts that the team's morale remains high despite these absences, focusing on how the rest of the squad can step up and perform under high-pressure situations during crucial matches.