Checking the form of Zambia’s World Cup rivals

Zambia are to make their debut at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, having wowed fans with their potential at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo.

It will be a huge step up for the Copper Queens, but an exciting opportunity for their players to get global exposure and showcase the rapid rise of women’s football in the country.

They have been drawn in a challenging Group C, but one that also perhaps gives hope of a dream ticket to the knockout phase.

We take a look at the last 10 games for Zambia’s rivals Down Under.

JAPAN

Last 10 games: W4 D1 L5 GF9 GA9

Japan have had a rough old time of it of late, though to be fair, their defeats have come against top-ranked sides United States, England, Spain, Brazil and Denmark. And four of those were by 1-0 margins, to go with a 4-0 blowout against England. Their real issue has been scoring goals, they were also kept scoreless in a 0-0 draw against China and nine goals in 10 games is not a great return. They have beaten African opponents in that run in the form of Nigeria (2-0) and also got a solid 3-1 win against Olympic champions Canada. But there is maybe an opportunity for Zambia to do something here.

SPAIN

Last 10 games: W8 D1 L1 GF31 GA6

Spain will be favourites for the group and looking at their past 10 games it is easy to see why. They have eight wins, with their only blemishes a 3-2 loss to Australia, who are a top side, and a 1-1 draw with Banyana Banyana’s opponent Sweden, who are ranked No 3 in the world. For the rest it has been wins all the way, and most by pretty comprehensive margins, not least the 7-0 victory against another Banyana opponent, Argentina. They also beat powerhouse USA 2-0 and group opponents Japan 1-0, which makes Spain perhaps one of the dark horses for the title.

COSTA RICA

Last 10 games: W1 D3 L6 GF6 GA18

Zambia will have a huge chance to get a win against Costa Rica, who have been dire of late with one win in their last 10 games. In fact, if you stretch it back further it is a single victory in 14 games, with 10 defeats in that time. Costa Rica’s single success in their previous 10 matches came against Philippines in October last year, and their poor run includes a defeat against African opposition in the form of Nigeria in February. They have made the World Cup, so they are not terrible, but this is a big opportunity for the Copper Queens to get a win under their belt. Costa Rica are also scheduled to play Banyana in a warm-up fixture in New Zealand on July 15.