The Republic of Ireland are looking to keep their World Cup dream alive when they face Canada on Wednesday. Elsewhere, Japan take on Costa Rica while Spain meet Zambia. Here is all you need to know about Wednesday’s action.
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
When: 6am (BST)/5pm (NZST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy)
Last meeting: N/A
Japan’s last result: 0-5 win v Zambia
Costa Rica’s last result: 3-0 loss v Spain
Japan announced themselves at the World Cup in their opener against Zambia. There were four different scorers in that 5-0 triumph, with Hinata Miyazawa scoring a brace. They head into this fixture knowing another win could book their place in the knockout stages. Costa Rica need to get a result against them if they are to give themselves a chance of doing the same after their defeat to Spain last time out.
Betfred odds: Japan 1/25, Costa Rica 25/1, Draw 9/1
Sportsman stat: Japan are looking to win their opening two fixtures at the World Cup for the third time, previously doing so in 2011 (when they won the tournament) and again as holders in 2015.
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: 8:30am (BST)/ 7:30pm (NZST)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Referee: Oh-Hyeon Jeong (South Korea)
Last meeting: N/A
Spain’s last result: 3-0 win v Costa Rica
Zambia’s last result: 0-5 loss v Japan
Spain looked most impressive when they comfortably defeated Costa Rica in their opener and they could secure their place in the round of 16 by beating Zambia. Their opponents will be deflated after their 5-0 thumping by Japan and they need to somehow regroup to try to get a result against Spain to give them a small chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Betfred odds: Spain 1/125, Zambia 28/1, Draw 25/1
Sportsman stat: Spain’s only previous encounter with an African nation at the World Cup came in a 3-1 victory over South Africa in their opener in the last tournament in 2019.
Canada v Republic of Ireland - Group B
Where: HBF Park, Perth
When: 1pm (BST)/ 8pm (AWST)
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Referee: Laura Fortunato (Argentina)
Last meeting: N/A
Canada’s last result: 0-0 draw v Nigeria
Republic of Ireland’s last result: 1-0 loss v Australia
Both these teams will be desperate for three points when they meet on Wednesday evening. A win would give them both a chance of reaching the knockout stage. Canada weren’t clinical enough in their stalemate with Nigeria, and the same goes for Ireland in their defeat to Australia. Vera Pauw’s side gave a good account of themselves and had a few chances to at least earn a draw against the co-hosts. There were certainly positives to take into this match.
Betfred odds: Canada 4/7, Republic of Ireland 9/2, Draw 12/5
Sportsman stat: Only one European nation has lost their first two fixtures at the World Cup finals (Scotland, 2019).
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