AUCKLAND: As the Women’s World Cup enters the business stage when the last 16 kicks off on Saturday, the surprises and shocks in the group stage have thrown up some mouth-watering fixtures, starting with the clash of former champions Norway and Japan while Spain aim to make history by winning a World Cup knockout game for the first time against Switzerland.

There is a sense that the expanded 32-team format has improved the tournament

after heavyweights Germany, Canada, Brazil and China were knocked out while minnows like Morocco and Jamaica advanced for the first time.

While Japan came through their group unscathed, Norway lost to co-hosts New Zealand in the tournament opener while a public spat threatened to derail their campaign before they eventually qualified.

“Everyone said it was an easy group, we knew it wasn’t because it was a tight group for us,” Norway coach Hege Riise told reporters. “Playing the home team in the first game and not performing well was a little bit devastating for us.

“But after that we got better step-by-step and when we needed a good win we went on to play Philippines and won 6-0. So confidence in the team is rising.”

Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda praised the teamwork that saw them keep three clean sheets in three wins to advance.

“Each player is performing their role. They’re not only performing to their own capacity, but they are working as a unit. It’s all about the collective,” he said.

Japan topped their group as they crush Spain 4-0 in their final group fixture and Spain coach Jorge Vilda says his Spain team will learn from their heavy defeat.

A Spanish side led by reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas were seen as contenders coming into the tournament and started with two comfortable wins against Costa Rica and Zambia.

Spain advanced to the last 16 in second place in their group and with doubts swirling about their ability to compete with the world’s best sides.

“The defeat the other day has not been forgotten and will not be forgotten,” Vilda said on the eve of the meeting with Switzerland in Auckland.

“Defeats like that leave their mark but are also necessary for a team’s development and growth. We just need to look at what we can improve and also at what we did well because there were some positives.”

This is just Spain’s second appearance in the knockout phase of the World Cup. In 2019 they reached the last 16 before going down 2-1 to eventual winners the United States.

Meanwhile, Switzerland have also never won a knockout tie in any major tournament and doing so here would be a huge boost for them as they prepare to host the next Euro in 2025.

They won their group ahead of Norway by scoring just two goals and conceding none.

“We played very well in the group stage. Of course we understand that Spain are one of the favourites, but for us everything is possible,” said Switzerland’s German coach Inka Grings.

Grings has stressed on her team needing to be more assertive in attack when they play Spain.

“We have really understood that message and we have helped to convey that with videos,” Grings said. “Spain has very strong players... We look at them as a compact and strong team.”

Published in Dawn, Aug 5th, 2023