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- Women’s World Cup team guides: Argentina and Japan
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Argentina: Correa; Gomez, Barroso, Cometti, Stabile; Banini, Bravo, Benitez, Mayorga, Bonsegundo; Sole Jaimes.
Japan: Yamashita; Shimizu, Kumagai, Minami, Sameshima; Nakajima, Sugita, Miura, Hasegawa; Yokoyama, Sugasawa.
Hello. World champions in 2011, this time not much is expected from Japan. Asako Takakura’s goalshy side are not as strong as when they won the tournament in unforgettable style eight years ago and are quite low down the list when it comes to tipping potential winners, especially as it seems their plan is to peak for the Tokyo Olympics next year. Wouldn’t want to show too much too soon.
All the same qualification for the knockout stages is achievable. England are expected to finish top of Group D, especially after opening with a win over Scotland in Nice yesterday, but Japan will feel they have enough to claim second spot. A good start would do them the world of good. Argentina, making their third appearance at a World Cup, have had little preparation and could be there for the taking. Maybe Japan could warm up for the Olympics by sticking in a few goals here. Or perhaps Argentina have a few surprises in store.
Written by Jacob Steinberg
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2019/jun/10/argentina-v-japan-womens-world-cup-2019-live under the title “
“. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
