Catching Up: World Cup Groups

All Set for 2015

The 6th of December was a very interesting day in Women's Football, the draws were held in Canada and various staffs and coaches from all 24 countries that had progressed into next year's prestigious event flew to the Maple Leaf country to learn their fates, live.
I personally was on the look out for my three precious countries when it comes to Women's Football, France, Brazil and of course, Nigeria. There's lots of love for the others, but these are my usual picks. All three ended in different groups of course, one in particular caught the eye of everyone interested in the Sport, but I'm sure they would do fine especially with the rule that some -4- third placed teams can qualify now, since we are aiming for a first ever Round of 16 encounter at the next World Cup, the excitement is beyond measurable.

In Group A, Canada being the host nation were the first to get encased in it. The host were joined by China, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Now this was a very different situation for Canada considering the last time they were in the World Cup and coach John Herdman said he thinks they should win the group. China were once powerhouses in Women's Football and would probably be the bookmakers' choice to make it into the next round besides Canada but The Netherlands and Oceania Champions, New Zealand aren't pushovers despite this being their very first World Cup.

Group B contained two time World champions and current European Champions, Germany with Norway, Cote d'ivoire and Thailand in it. It proves to be a very easy path for Germany into the next round as we know the Germans are very professional at what they do, especially in football. Former World Champions, Norway, seem like the team to move ahead to the next round besides Germany while Cote d'ivoire and Thailand would hope not to concede as many being in their first outing in this tournament.

Group C consisted of defending champions, Japan joined by Switzerland, Cameroon and Ecuador. Japan definitely the country that would top the group, Switzerland and Ecuador would be fighting for the scraps, while Cameroon might not go beyond spoiling the party.

Coaches in the Group of Death

Group D? Now this is an interesting group, and has been declared the 'Group of Death' by the critics, fans, observers, journalists and whatever person follows Women's Football. Two time Champions and last year's runners up, USA are in there enclosed with Australia, Sweden and Nigeria. I'm guessing all four teams or maybe three -excluding the USA- would have been as grumpy as I was when the realization came in that there would be no easy 3 points, from this group. It would be a fight till the last fixture and this group's third placed team is certainly one of the four third placed teams that would make it into the next round, that been said I have immense hope for the Super Falcons, Nigeria.

Group E, another Group I'll be watching since I very much love Brazilian football. The Samba Queens would be the pundits' pick to top the group what's interesting however is how the remaining three teams do. Korea Republic, Spain and Costa Rica are all at the World Cup for the very first time, so whoever gets out after the Brazilians should be an interesting speculation.

Last but not least, Group F is certainly another interesting group, France and England can't seem to avoid each other, they are both placed in there and would most likely be everyone's favorites to qualify from the group, with the French to top it. However, Colombia and Mexico are no pushovers so that should keep things interesting in there.

With all the groups done, and the first ever round of 16 in the Women's World Cup, I am extremely excited for this one. I'm certain it would be one of the most interesting World Cup's we would witness and could certainly match or overtake the drama of the last one.