Preview: Denmark Women vs. China PR Women
In their first match of the Women’s World Cup 2023, Denmark Women will go up against China PR Women at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.
While Denmark are appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 2007, China are attending the tournament for a third consecutive time.
After a 16-year absence, Denmark will finally return to the world stage after making light work of their qualifying campaign.
They scored 40 goals and conceded just twice to win all eight of their qualifying games, ensuring that they will make their fifth World Cup appearance.
After failing to make it out of the group stage in their two appearances at the tournament, Denmark are hoping to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 1995.
In addition to China, Denmark’s group contains European champions England and Haiti, who are making their Women’s World Cup debut.
After a run of four consecutive victories was brought to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Spain in their final warm-up game, Lars Sondergaard’s side will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday.
China, meanwhile, are preparing to make their eighth World Cup appearance after securing qualification with a successful performance at the 2022 Asian Cup.
After easing through the group stage, China claimed a 3-1 quarter-final victory over Vietnam to advance to the semi-finals and seal their place at the World Cup.
With qualification assured, China went on to beat Japan and South Korea to lift the Asian Cup for the ninth time in their history.
Having reached the knockout rounds in their previous seven World Cup appearances, the 1999 runners-up will be hoping to continue that impressive record in Australia and New Zealand.
China will also be looking to win their opening game for the first time since 2007 after beginning with defeats in their last two World Cup campaigns.
Denmark Women form (all competitions):
LWWWWL
China PR Women Women’s World Cup form:
DDLWWD
We say: Denmark Women 1-1 China PR Women
With only one place separating Denmark and China in the FIFA World Rankings, we expect Saturday’s encounter to be a cagey affair, and we think that both countries may have to be content with a share of the spoils.