Zambia and Japan are set for an exciting encounter in their 2023 Women’s World Cup opener on Saturday.
ZAM-W vs JAP-W Match Details
Date: Saturday, 22 July 2023
Time: 12:30 (IST) / 19:00 (NZST)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
ZAM-W vs JAP-W Match Preview
Zambia might be the most exciting debutants in the 2023 Women’s World Cup for their scary attack guided by fan-favourite Barbra Banda. Her output in front of goal including pace and power will be a headache for defenders as Germany learnt from losing 3-2 to the African nation in their final game. Banda scored twice including a stunning late grasp winner. The team like to sit deep and look for a chance to release her which makes them dangerous on counters. The strategy will be vital in a group filled with heavyweights like Japan and Spain with Costa Rica also hoping to make it hard for them. Zambia also made a miracle in the Women’s AFCON by reaching the semi-finals, that too without Banda who was ineligible to compete because of her high testosterone levels, which gave them a place in the finals in Australia and New Zealand. Their 77th ranking will matter less here. The issue for the Zambian that will be uncomfortable to deal with is their manager Bruce Mwape coming under investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct against players. Banda, the team’s captain, has said the focus will be on the pitch during the tournament but one can only imagine the seriousness of the case that is affecting the dressing room.
Since lifting the trophy in 2011, winning the silver in 2012 and finishing as runners-up in the 2015 edition, Japan have failed to hit the same heights in recent years. That is partly due to the treatment of their federation not taking women’s football seriously despite their achievements. Even the winning squad of the 2011 Women’s World Cup stunned everyone and their efforts put belief into the country struck by a deadly earthquake and a subsequent Tsunami only months before the tournament started. Yet, the team does not receive the deserved respect every time. Japan will hope to prove themselves again in the competition at Australia and New Zealand. While winning the cup might not be possible for this group, a strong display is expected. The Nadeshiko are favourites to reach the knockouts alongside Spain in this group. So, stumbling against Zambia in the opener and Costa Rica will be a crisis. Winning against the African counterparts will be necessary to gain positive momentum to lead up to the potential group-deciding clash against La Roja in the last group fixture. Japan will be quite confident of doing so having thrashed Panama 5-0 in the final warm-up match.
Recent Form
ZAM-W: WDLWL
JAP-W: WLWWL
ZAM-W vs JAP-W Team News
Hazel Nali suffered an injury during training which ruled her out of the tournament but the goalkeeper disputed that it was not serious. The number one said that initially, the management thought she was faking it and only going through sessions exaggerating it, the matter was known. In her place, Catherine Musonda will take the number one spot. Captain Barbara Banda will lead the line joined by the Madrid CFF duo Grace Chanda and Xiomara Mapepa.
Meanwhile, Japan will set up with three centre-backs captained by Saki Kumagai, the last member of the 2011 success after Mana Iwabuchi was not selected for this edition. Manchester City Yui Hasegawa will be the midfield lynchpin for the side with Liverpool’s Fuka Nagano partnering with her. Hina Sugita could feature in an advanced midfield role or drop to the wings whenever necessary. Riko Ueki and Mina Tanaka are the front two pairing in scoring form.
ZAM-W vs JAP-W Predicted Lineups
ZAM-W: Catherine Musonda; Margaret Belemu, Agness Musase, Lushomo Mweemba Martha Tembo; Susan Banda, Ireen Lungu; Racheal Kundananji, Grace Chanda, Xiomara Mapepa; Barbara Banda
JAP-W: Ayaka Yamashita; Shiori Miyake, Saki Kumagai, Moeke Minami; Risa Shimizu, Hina Sugita, Yui Hasegawa, Fuka Nagano, Jun Endo; Riko Ueki, Mina Tanaka
Also check out Zambia Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Japan Squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
ZAM-W vs JAP-W Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Yamashita (8)
DEF: Belemu (8.5), Kumahai (8.5), Minami (8.5)
MID: Shimizu (8.5), Hasegawa (9), Lungu (8), Sugita (8)
FW: Banda (9), Tanaka (9), Chanda (8.5)
Vice-captain: Barbra Banda
Captain: Yui Hasegawa
