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Matildas to face Brazil, Italy in Group C of women’s World Cup

They’re among the favourites for next year’s women’s World Cup, but Matildas face a task just to advance from their group.

France's head coach Didier Deschamps reveals Australia in Group C during the final draw for the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup. Picture: AFP
France's head coach Didier Deschamps reveals Australia in Group C during the final draw for the 2019 FIFA Women World Cup. Picture: AFP
AFP

England and Scotland will meet each other in the opening game of the 2019 women’s World Cup in France, while Australia have been drawn in a group of death featuring both Brazil and Italy.

The World Cup draw was held at La Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt, just outside Paris, overnight, with reigning champs the United States set to face Thailand to begin their title defence.

But the Matildas, who are among the favourites for next year’s event, face a tough task just to advance from Group C, which features Brazil and Italy as well as World Cup debutantes Jamaica.

“Brazil is a superpower of football, Italy is a traditional superpower of football and Jamaica is a new emerging nation,” Matildas coach Alen Stajcic said.

“It’s going to be very exciting but tough for all four teams.”

Matildas coach Alen Stajcic. Picture: Getty Images
Matildas coach Alen Stajcic. Picture: Getty Images

Hosts France were given a meeting with South Korea in the opening game of the 24-team tournament at the Parc des Princes in Paris on June 7 as Les Bleues hope to match their male counterparts, who won this year’s World Cup in Russia.

The final will be played on July 9 in Lyon, the 58,000-seat stadium in the city that is home to the Champions League holders.

For England, the draw co-hosted by their former star Alex Scott handed them the tantalising prospect of an opening game in Group D against old rivals Scotland in Nice on June 9.

They also met in their opening group game at Euro 2017 in the Netherlands, with England romping to a 6-0 victory on their way to a semi-final defeat at the hands of the hosts.

“I think it’s a great group,” said England manager Phil Neville, who labelled the Scotland clash as a standout but also highlighted the matches that will follow.

“England against Argentina is historically always a feisty occasion and then England against Japan is two of the top five or six teams in the world, so we could not have asked for a better group.” Phil Neville’s side were also semi-finalists at the 2015 World Cup in Canada, losing to Japan, while Scotland will be making their tournament debut.

Japan lost 5-2 to the United States in the 2015 final, and the reigning champions were drawn in Group F with Sweden, Thailand and tournament newcomers Chile.

USA have ‘more depth’

The USA have won three of the previous seven tournaments and will fancy their chances of going all the way again, even if they could meet France in the last eight.

“I think it’s a good draw for us. It pits us against a couple of teams we are not that familiar with, which I like, and I like having Sweden in the third game,” said USA coach Jill Ellis, who says she is putting together a strong squad for their title defence.

“I feel really good about this group. We have narrowed it down to a smaller group and I think we have a lot more depth in every line than we did in 2015.”

Norway ‘not weaker’ without Hegerberg

That might sound ominous for France, who have disappointed at recent tournaments, losing in the quarter-finals in 2015 and again at the last Euro.

As well as South Korea, Corinne Diacre’s team will also play African champions Nigeria and Norway in Group A, although the latter look set to go without star striker Ada Hegerberg.

The winner of the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or has not played for her country since Euro 2017.

“Norway qualified automatically, so no,” was Diacre’s reply when asked if the Scandinavians would miss Hegerberg.

“All three teams are difficult. The idea is to finish first and go as far as possible.”

Two-time champions Germany are in Group B with China, Spain and South Africa, while 2015 hosts Canada are with European champions the Netherlands, Cameroon and New Zealand in Group E.

AFP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/matildas-to-face-brazil-italy-in-group-c-of-womens-world-cup/news-story/b7f81c9304b8d1092bb1243bbaf39705