Four years of waiting finally comes to end in Edmonton on Saturday as the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ gets underway. It will be a double celebration for the host nation who have the chance to see their team in action for the Opening Match against China PR, while New Zealand tackle debutants Netherlands in the second contest of the day.
Match of the day
Canada-China PR, Edmonton, 6 June, 16.00 local time
Canada will finally have a chance to put a long and thorough preparation into practice in front of what is expected to be a large and colourful crowd in the 50,000 capacity venue. Not only will be Canada seeking to make a strong opening statement, they will be looking to cast aside memories of four years ago when they fell to a brave 2-1 defeat against host nation Germany. The pair met twice in January with Canada prevailing by a single goal on both occasions and it would be a surprise if this was a similar contest of fine margins. While Canada are stealing all the headlines, the match also marks the welcome return of 1999 finalists China PR, who unexpectedly missed the Women’s World Cup for the first time four years ago.
