{"id":23248,"date":"2019-06-15T09:20:02","date_gmt":"2019-06-15T13:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=23248"},"modified":"2019-06-15T09:20:02","modified_gmt":"2019-06-15T13:20:02","slug":"canada-shifts-focus-to-new-zealand-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2019\/06\/15\/canada-shifts-focus-to-new-zealand-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Canada shifts focus to New Zealand in Women\u2019s World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preview (June 15, 2019) \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Canada will look to build on their 1-0 victory over Cameroon<\/a> with another solid performance against New Zealand on Saturday. Canada was\u00a0good defensively <\/a>against the Indomitable Lionesses and are now tasked with facing an equally defensive minded team in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

New Zealand are more than capable of pulling off an upset every now and again. However, the Football Ferns lack real consistency. Canada will do their best to ensure that upset will have to wait another day.<\/p>\n

New Zealand nearly had the perfect start to group play on Tuesday. They held Netherlands scoreless through the first 90 minutes of the match before conceding a heartbreaking goal in stoppage time to undo an otherwise effective effort. The Dutch outplayed them, but New Zealand was just a couple minutes away from stealing a point. Canada will need to be more efficient offensively than Netherlands was and not wait until stoppage time to score.<\/p>\n

The Match<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On paper these two teams have quite similar tactics. Both are stronger sides defensively and have problems producing goals from time to time. However, Canada are a lot more consistent. Les Rouges are ranked fifth in the world for a reason. Even if their offense isn\u2019t always firing they can rely on a steady backline.<\/p>\n

The recipe for New Zealand to steal a point or three is similar to Cameroon\u2019s method. Canada will possess the ball for long periods of time once again and New Zealand\u2019s first and foremost task will be to not concede a goal. When New Zealand get the ball they will look to counter-attack, trying to catch Canada out of shape defensively.<\/p>\n

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#NZL<\/a> #NZL<\/a> #NZL<\/a>@betsyhassett12<\/a> discusses the positive impact veteran coach @TomSermanni<\/a> has on the @NZ_Football<\/a> side.@FIFAWWC_NZL<\/a> | #FIFAWWC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/qVzJVE5SsK<\/a><\/p>\n

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 15, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n