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FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 schedule, results, groups: Victoria Treadell says men and women should be paid equally in football

England’s players released a statement this week outlining their sadness in not reaching an agreement with the English FA over a pay dispute, and a high-ranking politician has backed their cause.

Danielle GusmaroliDanielle Gusmaroli
@DanielleGuss
13 min read
12:09AMJuly 23, 2023
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American fans descend on Auckland for World Cup

Victoria Treadell, the British High Commissioner to Australia, says women and men should draw equal pay when it comes to football.

England players on Tuesday released a collective statement, posted on Twitter by captain Millie Bright, outlining their “disappointment” in not reaching an agreement with the Football Association over performance bonus payments and commercial structures ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti in Brisbane.

That battle was driven by personal gain and by “a strong sense of responsibility to grow the game” globally – a sentiment echoed by numerous players over the last few days in the Queensland capital, where defender Lucy Bronze explained “we’re not only doing this for ourselves, we’re doing it so that we can set a standard.”

England skipper Millie Bright. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)
England skipper Millie Bright. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)

Mrs Treadell said of the Lionesses’s advocacy, “Because they have personalities, because they have a profile it’s part of the global agenda of closing the gender pay gap,” she said.

“In your profession, in my profession, women are still behind men.

“We must all work together to say that is wrong. If we’re doing the same job we should have equal pay.”

She says the Lionesses have a vital role to play in the flight for women’s’ rights.

She went on, “ If we have a global platform, we should be using it for good and Lionesses are doing just that.”

“It’s a conversation that needs to be had, global eyes are on Australia and New Zealand in the next two months.

“Use it to our as a stage, why it take the opportunity while they’ve got it?” she said.

12AM: DENMARK BREAK CHINESE HEARTS LATE

Talk about leaving it late!

Denmark have stolen it at the death from China, with an Amalie Vangsaard header from long range getting past the Chinese keeper, who was caught in an awkward position between the ball and a Danish defender.

What a cruel blow for the Chinese who were gallant the entire contest.

Denmark are now the equal top of Group D, with a blockbuster clash between the Danes and England waiting for us next Friday night in Sydney.

11PM: NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS EVACUATED AFTER FIRE AT TEAM BASE

New Zealand’s Women’s World Cup squad was temporarily evacuated from its hotel in Auckland on Saturday after a fire, the team said, but all players and staff were safe.

It was not immediately clear what caused it, but a Fire and Emergency spokesperson told AFP that there had been “multiple blazes” at the hotel, which have since been extinguished.

The spokesperson said some people at the hotel were treated for smoke inhalation but nobody was seriously hurt.

A member of the hotel staff told AFP that the upper floors were affected by smoke but the situation was quickly brought under control.

The fire service said it was not thought to be suspicious.

“New Zealand Football can confirm that the Football Ferns team and staff have been temporarily evacuated from the Pullman Hotel, their team base for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, due to a fire,” NZ Football said in a statement.

“All of the team and staff are safe and accounted for.” New Zealand are co-hosting the World Cup with Australia and won the opening match of the tournament 1-0 against Norway on Thursday.

9:30PM: EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS’ RED-HOT START

The European champions are off and running at the World Cup, grabbing a 1-0 win over Haiti to grab the three points in their first outing.

A penalty in the first half was enough for the Three Lionesses to take home the points as Haiti were game all night and almost stole a point in the dying minutes if not for a huge save by English keeper Mary Eaps to deny a point blank chance.

England will take on Denmark next Friday night to continue their campaign.

Georgia Stanway’s penalty was the difference in the end. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Georgia Stanway’s penalty was the difference in the end. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

8:45PM: PENALTY DRAMA TAKES OVER WORLD CUP ONCE AGAIN

Penalties have been the talk of the tournament so fat, and once again they have come to the fore in England’s first half against minnows Haiti.

English and Manchester City star Georgia Stanway saw her penalty saved in the 29th minute, sending the Haitians into raptures as they celebrated with their goalkeeper.

The celebrations were however short lived, with VAR confirming a Haiti player had barely stepped into the box before the kick but nonetheless had infringed.

Stanway took the kick once more burying it into the bottom left corner and giving the European champions an early lead in Brisbane.

Every match so far in the tournament has had a penalty given, meaning the tournament is on track to break such a record.

8:20PM OUTED GLORY OWNER PUTS BLAME AT FEET OF WORLD CUP

Australian A-League side Perth Glory was placed into receivership Saturday after the long-term owner said he could no longer fund the club, partly blaming the Women’s World Cup.

The development came just days after the team hosted English Premiership side West Ham, crashing 6-2.

Danny Townsend, head of the Australian Professional Leagues, the A-League’s governing body, said operations would continue as usual in preparation for the 2023-24 season, with the hunt for a buyer under way.

“Here we have a process which allows for the club’s operations to continue ‘business-as-usual’, whilst the technical adjustments are made to the club’s ownership structure,” he said in a statement.

According to reports, Perth Glory player and staff wages had been paid for the past five months by loans secured from the APL.

The wage payments reportedly amounted to around Aus$5 million (US$3.36 million), but recently APL issued owner Tony Sage with a breach notice and the receivers were called in.

Local businessman Sage took full ownership of the club in 2008, with the men’s team winning the 2019 Premiership and reaching two Grand Finals. The women’s team won the 2014 Premiership and competed in three Grand Finals.

The Glory were forced to depart HBF park while upgrades were made.
The Glory were forced to depart HBF park while upgrades were made.

He said in a statement that keeping the club afloat had taken a “huge emotional and financial” toll, with his family investing millions of dollars.

“This investment was increased greatly and unsustainably by the impact of Covid-19 which decimated the club’s income streams,” he said.

“(It was) then further compounded by our forced relocation from HBF Park last season for 10 of 13 home games while upgrades were made to enable the stadium to host upcoming matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We are still in talks about compensation with the WA government and trust they see the financial damage the relocation caused the club, especially after the two Covid-ravaged seasons.”

7PM: JAPAN SEND EARLY WORLD CUP WARNING

Japana have fired an early warning shot to their World Cup rivals, cruising to a 4-0 win over Zambia.

The Japanese were too good for the African opponents with a second half onslaught putting any Zambian hopes beyond doubt, as the Copper Queens suffered a heavy defeat in their debut game.

Zambian keeper Cathering Musonda was sent off in the final moments, compounding the woes for Zambia, as Riko Ueki scored the final goal in the 101st minute.

Hinana Miyazawa got on the scoresheet twice with Mina Tanaka and Jun Endo adding the two other goals.

Japan now go to the top of Group C over Spain.

Mina Tanaka (C) celebrates with Hinata Miyazawa (R) after scoring against Zambia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Mina Tanaka (C) celebrates with Hinata Miyazawa (R) after scoring against Zambia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

6PM: SUBLIME WORK FROM JAPAN STEALS HALFTIME LEAD

The Japanese were pressing the entire half and now have their reward on the stroke of half-time, with Hinana Miyazawa getting on the end of a beautiful cross from the right wing to poke home the easiest of chances.

Japan had already been denied a goal through VAR but the brilliant team goal was not to be denied for Nadeshiko Japan.

The first-time finish gives Japan the advantage against the underdogs Zambia.

5PM: MATILDAS CRUISE ON DAY OFF

The pressure of a home World Cup clearly isn’t weighing on the Matildas’ shoulders too greatly with some of the players using their free day to take a cruise on a boat. 

Matildas were originally scheduled to have a training session, followed by media interviews at their home base at QSAC today, but plans were altered on Friday – with the players awarded a full day off – after flying back from Sydney following their opening 1-0 win against Ireland on Thursday night. 

Matildas players spend day off on boat

Videos posted to the players’ social media pages show at least five athletes including Kyra Cooney-Cross, Teagan Micah, Katrina Gorry, Charli Grant and Hayley Raso having a great time on a boat, in what looks like Moreton Bay. 

Other Matildas players shared pictures of them catching up with friends, and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was spotted enjoy a coffee near the team’s hotel in South Bank, Brisbane. 

Matildas are expected to be back training at QSAC on Sunday morning.

4:30 PM: ZAMBIA ARRIVE IN STYLE FOR JAPAN CLASH

Japan will go in clear favourites against Zambia momentarily, but don’t think the Zambian side aren’t coming to Hamilton without purpose.

Awesome pre-game footage show the Copper Queens walking in as one singing together, hoping to inspire each other before they take on Nadeshiko Japan.

Spain have already claimed three points to start Group C, but will either side do enough to join them on top of the group?

2PM ‘ROTTEN’ KICK LEAVES USA STAR HUMILIATED

Another day, another penalty at the World Cup.

Six penalties in as many matches have been awarded so far this tournament and the USA are the latest to benefit with VAR overturning an official decision.

Alex Morgan stood up to take the spot kick for her country but it was saved by Trần Thị Kim Thanh. It was a fairly ordinary attempt.

“It’s straight down the middle, it’s a rotten penalty,” Simon Hill said on commentary.

But the focus immediately shifted to whether a second penalty should have been awarded for what happened to Morgan after her woeful strike.

The USA star was clobbered by defenders and remained on the floor for quite some time.

“Poor penalty, maybe it was too much pressure,” John Aloisi said.

“It took too long (VAR),”

It marks the sixth penalty of the World Cup – one in every match so far – with four saved and two scored.

It begs the question whether the video referral system is becoming too influential.

Just three days into the World Cup and we’re almost a quarter of the way to the 26 penalties that were awarded in the entirety of the 2019 World Cup.

11:45AM ICON DROPPED AS NBA LEGEND’S KID MAKES WC DEBUT

Some big names are set to take to the field on day three of the tournament perhaps none more so with so much sporting legend attached as Trinity Rodman.

The youngest child of the NBA superstar Dennis, she will make her World Cup debut when the USA take on Vietnam in New Zealand.

But there is no silver spoon in this mouth – far from it. Trinity was brought up by ha single mum but definitely inherited her dad’s sporting genes.

And she doesn’t want to be known as ‘Dennis’ daughter’.

“He was an amazing athlete,” she said. “I got those genes from him, but I’m excited to be known as Trinity Rodman and not just as Rodman’s daughter.

“I’m excited to pave my own path and get better throughout this journey.”

Dennis was a sporadic presence.

“Being in spotlights has been hard for us, him and me,” Trinity added.

“We don’t have the best relationship, but at the end of the day he’s human I’m human … he’s my dad, and I’m his little girl that will never change. I will improve and look forward everyday as I hope he does.”

While Rodman is one of the youngest on the squad, her creative, attacking style of play and unflappable nature have been forged by both personal and on field adversity.

A warning for the top female soccer players on earth, as Rodman steps onto the international stage.

The United States is looking for something synonymous with the Rodman name: a threepeat.

The women are defending the World Cup they won in France in 2019, and Canada in 2015.

When it was announced in June, that she was making the 23-woman roster, USWNT put out a video featuring celebrities, athletes and the Bidens to unveil the team.

Rodman’s name was called by her father’s old rival, Shaquille O’Neal who said, “Trinity Rodman, welcome to your first World Cup. Go kick some ass and bring back that victory. Go USA, and congratulations Trinity.”

Additional reporting from the NY Post

11am RAPINOE WILL NOT START

Australia not the only side to start the World Cup without their superstar, the USA have left Megan Rapinoe out of their starting line-up today.

The veteran – who is contesting her final toournamewnt before retirement – will have to ewait for her 200th cap a little longer it seems.

My understanding is this is a cautious approach from team USA who don’t want to rush their star back.

That said, Rapinoe was off the bench immediately after Rodman went down 35 seconds into the match, seemingly in agony.

She’s left the field but has NOT been replaced as yet.

10:32AM 46-1: MIND BLOWING WORLD CUP RECORD SET

Spain have sounded the alarm. They’re here to win.

The European side showed no mercy in their opening clash against Costa Rica and flattered their opponents by only converting three of the 46 shots they had on goal.

A new FIFA record to attempts on target (12) and, moreover, the Spaniards enjoyed 80 per cent of possession throughout the 90 minutes.

And the mind blowing stats didn’t stop there.

Costa Rica recorded 33 total accurate passes in the first half of the match a number eclipsed by three individual Spanish players; Teresa Abelleira – 46, Irene Paredes – 37 and Ona Batlle – 36.

In a match played in cold and wet conditions, the first goal arrived in the 21st minute when Costa Rica defender Valeria del Campo sliced a low cross from Esther Gonzalez into her own net.

Aitana Bonmati doubled the lead before Gonzalez grabbed the third with a close-range volley.

It should have been four soon afterwards but Jennifer Hermoso was denied from the penalty spot by goalkeeper Daniela Solera, who was a critical figure in keeping the scoreline down.

Solera made nine saves, including a host of fingertip efforts in the second half, in a performance described by Costa Rica coach Amelia Valverde as “extraordinary”.

Putellas’ Barcelona teammate Bonmati was instead the game’s dominant figure, named player of the match after creating numerous chances and finding the net herself.

Bonmati was among a group of 15 who made themselves unavailable for selection in a player revolt against Vilda that rocked Spain’s World Cup preparations.

She and two others ended a nine-month exile to play at the World Cup. Vilda said he didn’t want to “look backwards” when asked if the issue was still creating tension.

9:40AM CAN CHINA MAKE AN IMPACT?

Coach Shui Qingxia said Friday she hoped the Women’s World Cup will help usher a new dawn for China, starting with a “very significant” opening match against Denmark in Perth.

China were an early powerhouse at the showpiece event, finishing fourth in 1995 and then runners-up to the United States in 1999.

But they’ve failed to get past the quarter-finals since, and were knocked out in the round of 16 at the 2019 event in France.

Overtaken by several European nations, China’s status as a women’s football heavyweight diminished, but a surprise triumph at last year’s Asian Cup ended a 16-year title drought.

Qingxia, China’s first woman head coach, hoped the momentum would reignite their status as a world force.

“I want this to be a fresh start for this generation,” she told reporters ahead of China’s opener on Saturday.

“I hope we can give our best performance in this tournament. Everything has a start, I think.

“I think in the past, (our) players played under a lot of pressure (at World Cups).

“We need to enjoy the game of football and our teammates.”

the tackle from Canada's clash with Nigeria
the tackle from Canada's clash with Nigeria

8:45AM HIDEOUS TACKLE MARS WORLD CUP

It only took until the 98th minute of the fourth match of the tournament but the Women’s World Cup has seen its first red card and it was a horrific tackle.

Nigeria’s Deborah Abiodun was dismissed for her brutal challenge on Canada’s Ashley Lawrence with studs up high on the striker’s ankle.

Initially Abiodun was only shown the yellow before VAR intervened and upgraded the sanction to a straight red which will see the 19-year-old sit out her side’s second clash against Australia on July 27 in Brisbane.

The match ended 0-0 after Canadian veteran Christine Sinclair missed a penalty.

8:12AM NBA CELEB COMES TO WWC

Some big names are set to take to the field on day three of the tournament, none more so carries a surname with so much history as Trinity Rodman.

The youngest child of the NBA legend Dennis stands to make her World Cup debut tonight when the USA take on Vietnam.

But she doesn’t want to be known as ‘Dennis’ daughter’.

“He was an amazing athlete,” she said. “I got those genes from him, but I’m excited to be known as Trinity Rodman and not just as Rodman’s daughter.

“I’m excited to pave my own path and get better throughout this journey.”

Trinity Rodman of the women's US national soccer team
Trinity Rodman of the women's US national soccer team

7:15AM MESSI MAGIC TRAVELS WITH FRANCE

Herve Renard masterminded defeat of Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the Qatar World Cup group stage and now is hoping to experience more “emotions that you can’t buy” at the Women’s World Cup.

The 54-year-old gave up a lucrative contract as coach of Saudi Arabia’s men — who he led to a famous win over eventual champions Argentina in Qatar — to take over the women’s team of his native France.

They face Jamaica on Sunday in Sydney in their Group F opener and Renard told AFP that money is not what drives him.

“I go looking for emotions. World Cups are magical,” he said in the lead-up to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

“Australia is a football country that likes women’s sports. The stadiums will be full and there will be a great atmosphere. These are emotions that you can’t buy.

“What I experienced a few months ago against Argentina, I could have been the richest man in the world and I wouldn’t be able to buy the emotions.

“So I will be looking for these emotions again. That is my adrenaline and I hope to experience more unforgettable moments.”

Danielle Gusmaroli
Danielle GusmaroliSenior reporter

She enjoys a deep dig and likes to get to the heart of the matter. Has a tradition of breaking exclusives. She comes from a pedigree of London's Fleet Street newspapers and has several national awards to her name.

Danielle Gusmaroli

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-schedule-results-groups-brutal-tackle-that-could-have-snapped-a-bone/news-story/320cedf41dd449dca63234d0e5f3cf12