Women's World Cup 2015: Latest Group Results, Table and Sunday Schedule
Group A kicked off the Women's World Cup on Saturday, with hosts Canada beating China 1-0, and the Netherlands edging out an optimistic New Zealand side by a solitary goal.
The Canadians may have expected a stronger showing against an inferior Chinese collective, but the three points are ultimately all that matters.
Here are the results and Group A positions after the opening day's action, as well as Sunday's schedule:
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| A | Canada | 1-0 | China |
| New Zealand | 0-1 | Netherlands |
| Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Sunday, June 7 | 1 p.m. | 6 p.m. | Germany v Ivory Coast |
| 4 p.m. | 9 p.m. | Norway v Thailand |
Canadian Drama in Opening Game
It almost became a hugely disappointing opening gambit for Canada in the first game of the World Cup, with the hosts needing a 92nd-minute penalty to take the win against China.
The Asian team defended resolutely but finally fell in injury time, when Canada captain Christine Sinclair converted her spot-kick.
It was a disappointing day for the record attendance of more than 53,000, who were hoping their team would put on an impressive show. However, they failed to create many clear-cut opportunities.
China came close to taking the lead midway through the first half, when Wang Lisi rattled the crossbar with a free-kick.
Canada retained the lion's share of possession and territory, but Sophie Schmidt and Ashley Lawrence both failed to convert good opportunities.
With time running out, the referee awarded a controversial penalty to give the Olympic bronze medalists the chance to grab all three points, and Sinclair made sure of the result.
Joe Krishnan of the Independent called the action in the closing stages, and he described the penalty as "very dubious" at full-time:
Canada must do better than this as the competition progresses, otherwise it will mean an early exit in the knockout rounds despite home advantage.
However, a win in the first game was vital—and they just about managed to do the job on Saturday.
Brilliant Martens Goal Enough for Dutch
The Netherlands were expected to beat New Zealand in their opening contest, and their winning goal, from 22-year-old Lieke Martens, was a true World Cup classic.
The young player fired a curling effort from outside the penalty area to secure the three points for her side, ensuring victory for her nation in its first game at a World Cup.
The moment was captured on social media, per FanSided:
"VINE - Lieke Martens' goal, the TV broadcast angle https://t.co/gtowOx8qvJ
— FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) June 7, 2015"
The goal came midway through the first half and allowed the Dutch to play a possession game to stifle the Ferns, who couldn't find a way back into the match.
Netherlands head coach Roger Reijners was delighted with his side's efforts and highlighted his team had the best attacking chances of the contest, per FIFA.com:
"I’m very happy that we won the first match and started this way. The first half was pleasing and we had more chances than our opponents. In the second half we were pulled back by New Zealand and we had some difficulty. Everyone was excited and primed for the match.
"
Group A is a two-horse race for top spot, and the Canadians should fear the Netherlands at this juncture.
The Dutch keep the ball incredibly well—as is their philosophy of the game—and Canada do not look like the same team that played so well at the London 2012 Olympics.
But there is an appetite from the public to see their team prevail, as the record crowd on Saturday proved, and the fans will give their backing to the hosts until Canada can progress no further.
