Australia will face former world champion Norway in a group C match of Women’s world cup 2007. The match will be held at the Zhejiang Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou on 15 September 2007. Women’s world cup 2007 has already been started and both Australia and Norway started the tournament with victory. Australia defeated Ghana by 4-1 in their first match. Norway defeated Canada by 2-1 in their first match of the tournament. So, both teams are now confident to play against each other.
Australia is not a big name in women’s football whereas Norway is regarded as one of the strong contenders of the tournament. Norway won world cup title in 1995 world cup in Sweden. However, it is also true that Australia’s recent performance is really praiseworthy. They are improving gradually. Australian team has some experienced footballers who can bring something bigger for Australia.
Australia participated in Women’s world cup in 1995 and from then on, they could continue their improving. However, Australia could not yet go beyond the group stage in world cup. I think, Australia has a chance to qualify for the quarter final round this time in China. Getting a victory with a big margin in the first match, Australia now must be determined to bring out something bigger in Women’s world cup 2007.
On other hand, Norway is one of the favorite in the tournament. Norway has a good track record in women’s world cup. They have participated in all of the Women’s world cup competitions. In the next world cup, Norway won the tournament becoming the first team from Europe to win Women’s world cup tournament in 1995. They could win the fourth place in 1999 world cup. However, Norway experienced their worst performance in Women’s world cup 2003. Norway missed their semi final appearance for the first time in the last world cup as they lost to USA in the quarter final. So, Norway is now determined to come up with something special for their fans. Norway will definitely try to qualify for the quarter final as the group champion so that they can get easier opponent in the quarter final.
Norway is undoubtedly favorite against Australia. However, to tell the truth, Australia is no more an underdog team. Their recent performance is really excellent. Just before the start of the tournament, Australia defeated strong China in a friendly match. So, Norway will do a great mistake if they take Australia lightly. Rather, I think, Norway should take them seriously because Norway has to face a strong challenge from Australia.
As Australia is now in good form, they can throw a hard challenge to Norway. Norway and Australia never faced each other in Women’s world cup history. Australian forward Sarah Walsh is now in good form. She scored the first goal against Ghana. Another forward Lisa de Vanna scored twice in the match. It is more important that their star players are now in good form. Captain Cheryl Salisbury are expected to play the leading role against Norway. This veteran defender is the highest goal scorer among the men and women footballers of Australia. With 135 caps for Australia, Cheryl Salisbury is expected to lead her country in Women’s world cup 2007.
On the other hand, Norway also has some star footballers in their teams. They won against strong Canada in the first match. So, they are also confident to win against Norway. I think, football fans will watch an exciting match between Australia and Norway.
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