The knockout stage of the 2015 Women’s World Cup is set. Eight teams have been eliminated after the group stage, leaving 16 countries left in contention for the crown. The round of 16 offers some pretty intriguing matchups, with the USA in particular facing a potentially dangerous assignment against Colombia.
But before the first knockout round begins in earnest on Saturday, June 20, let’s take a quick look at all eight matchups and examine how each one will eventually play out.
Also, see how the various soccer experts think the round of 16 plays out in our experts picks and predictions piece here.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Cameroonians came into the tournament with a reputation for being more of a defensive-minded team, but they’ve shown both the willingness and the ability to attack so far in the tournament. They erupted for six goals against Ecuador, and shocked Switzerland with a second half surge to win 2-1 in their final group game.
The Chinese, though, have proven to be pretty tough to break down defensively. They almost held hosts Canada to a draw in their very first match, and kept a clean sheet against a very talented Dutch team.
Expect China to be the team on the back foot soaking up the pressure while the Africans play the aggressors. However, that could expose the Cameroonians to the Chinese counterattack.
Despite going undefeated in the group stage, the Americans didn’t look entirely impressive in their first three outings. But they got the job done with two wins and a draw to top the “Group of Death,” Group D, rather comfortably.
Colombia will be a tricky matchup for the US. Las Cafeteras already shocked World Cup contender France 2-0 during the group stage, to which the Americans no doubt took notice.
However, this incredibly experienced US team will not make the same mistake of underestimating the Colombians. They won’t be so foolish as to commit too many women forward, but when they do, they have the quality in attack to make the Colombians pay.
Prediction: The US prevails with a composed 2-0 win over Colombia.
Aside from a slight blip in the form of a 1-1 draw against Norway, Germany has been rolling along looking every bit like a World Cup favorite. The Germans led all teams with 15 goals during the group stage, and conceded just one.
But that well-oiled German machine could once again come unstuck against draw specialists Sweden. The Swedes drew all three group games, including one against the mighty USA.
Still, it’s tough to see the Swedes producing enough offense to keep up with the Germans, who look fearsome going forward.
After two tepid performances, France finally came to life with a 5-0 win in its final group game against Mexico. That was much more like the fearsome French attack many expected to see prior to the tournament, and it arrived at just the right time.
France could be in for a battle with South Korea, which will likely keep things tight on defense. But the French have so many weapons all across their frontline capable of unlocking any defense. Top striker Eugenie Le Sommer fired two goals past Mexico and has three in the tournament thus far.
Furthermore, the Korean defense has looked rather flimsy, conceding five goals in three games with no clean sheets kept.
Despite record goalscorer Marta (92 goals in 94 caps) getting just one goal (and that was on a penalty) during the group stage, the Brazilians still breezed by with a perfect three wins in three games. For that, they have their rock-solid defense to thank. It’s the only one that has yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Australia has not done anything out of the ordinary just yet. The Aussies lost to the team they were supposed to lost to (the USA), beat the team they were supposed to beat (Nigeria), and drew with the team that drew with everyone (Sweden).
From the way they’ve performed, the Aussies look as if they’ll struggle breaking down a Brazilian defense playing very well. Moreover, it feels like only a matter of time before a player of Marta’s quality makes her presence felt.
Prediction: Brazil is quarterfinals-bound with a 1-0 win.
Speaking of perfect records, defending champion Japan is the only other team aside from Brazil with three wins out of three. But like Brazil, the Nadeshiko have yet to fully find top form. They’ve scored just four goals, although they’ve conceded just one.
The Japanese defense could be put to the test by a talented Netherlands team – led by teen phenom Vivianne Miedema (19 goals in 26 caps) – that can be deadly going forward. That Dutch attack hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders, though, with just two goals so far in the tournament.
In terms of sheer experience, this matchup is as lopsided as they come. The Japanese are one of the oldest in terms of average age and the defending champs, while the debutant Dutch are young in both age and big game chops. There’s also every possibility that the Dutch and their very attacking style leads to their downfall as they expose their questionable defense to the clinical Japanese.
Prediction: Japan just ekes out a 1-0 win over the Netherlands.
Norway looked mighty impressive during the group stage with convincing wins over Thailand and the Ivory Coast, as well as a commendable draw against powerhouse Germany. The Norwegians aren’t the most technically and tactically advanced team in the tournament, but their strength, experience and pragmatism has gotten the job done so far.
Similarly, the English also have an uncomplicated style of play, one that has also yielded good results. After a listless opening performance against France, the Three Lionesses scored consecutive 2-1 wins over Mexico and Colombia.
England has some very useful weapons up front, but none that can deliver a moment of brilliance out of nowhere. Norway doesn’t either, but its physical approach was enough to disrupt Germany, and it should have a similar effect on the English.
Prediction: Norway gets a narrow 2-1 win over England.
Team Canada has not been quite an entertaining host in this World Cup. Only three goals have been seen in Canada’s three group games, the least in the tournament. One of those goals was the injury time penalty the Canadians needed to get their only win against China. They have close to nothing going forward, but defensively they are very solid.
Switzerland has been much more action-packed with 11 goals scored, although 10 of those were against lowly Ecuador. The Swiss actually lost their other two group games against Japan and Cameroon, and have the goal difference propped up by that 10-1 win to thank for their survival in the tournament.
The Swiss love going forward and will be the aggressors against the hosts. But the Canadians should have enough about them defensively to withstand the pressure. This match has the makings of one that’ll need more than 90 minutes to be decided.
Prediction: The match ends in a 0-0 draw in regulation, but Canada eventually wins by dramatic penalty shootout.
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