Group A
France
France the host nation ambition to send off coach Hervé Renard with Olympic glory. Being drawn in group A alongside reigning Olympic champions Canada, feisty South America outfit Colombia and New Zealand. A highly talented squad as always capable of winning any tournament. They do not start the favourites which could take pressure off the host nation as in relation to hosting the 2019 Women’s World Cup. A strong defence and middle whatever the combination the key for France will be with Marie-Antoinette Katoto is it her time to shine and prove she is a clinical high class top scorer at the very highest level of the game. Better quality of service to the forward line and players finding space better in the box can see the host go very deep into a very tight and open tournament.
Canada
The reigning Olympic champions enter as previous looking very difficult to break down. After a poor World Cup a bit of reinvention they will look to respond from Australia. A very good hard working team start the tournament on the list teams would like to avoid. Again will start as a dark horse but their Olympic record is very respectable over the years.
Colombia
Colombia a feisty battling team capable of frustrating any team on its day with some exceptional individual talents. A very dangerous outfit from set pieces but struggle to score much in open play, however will give their all and be very combative. Very capable of advancing out of the group.
New Zealand
New Zealand arrive with issues among the squad technical staff which saw their coach Jitka Klimková stand down. Probably the weakest team in the group, they will find it difficult to progress despite the grit and determination style . Ten players will experience the Olympics for the first time.
Group B
USA
USA arrive with many pressures from home following a poor World Cup performance. A new coach, veterans gone from the squad Emma Hayes aims to inspire the new generation which has many individual talents. The question for the Americans is are they going to score when it matters. A up and down forward line on paper individually seems very talented, but at times the movement to basic none doing the work Alex Morgan did dragging defenders all around. The fitness of Rose Lavelle and Mallory Swanson appears to be the key two match winners who can lead the USA to glory. Defensively solid, a midfield still gelling for once start a tournament as underdog.
Zambia
Appearing in their second successive Olympics bring the same issues as Tokyo. Given the nature of CAF qualifying there is limited opportunities to test against the highest level of the game in Friendly matches to give the defensive side of the game more learning opportunities. As in 2021 in Tokyo we know what the forward line brings, already super world class players now finally getting global exposure from mainstream media. Zambia’s key to more success is in the midfield how they can assist the defensive duties to creating for the forward line. Grace Chanda if 100% is one high talent who can be crucial. Certainly two opponents in the group will be very wary and known for defensive exposures gives a battling squad some ambition, who will again excite global fans hope of springing surprises in a very tough group.
Austrália
Without Sam Kerr Australia turn to veteran Michelle Heyman to provide the goals after excelling in domestic football. However there is a huge gap in quality of defence facing and this aspect may be more suitable to Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord. How far Australia go depends on how well they can defend open to exposure when go to high may look to be more defensive and play on the break more against USA and Germany. A intriguing group though will be favoured to gain at least one of the best 3 places. Tenacious midfield quality runs through the flanks can pose a big threat.
Germany
Germany a unpredictable team loaded with very high talented players, however a notable aspect of their game in how suddenly they get exposed at the back whatever the game. After a disappointing World Cup a refreshed squad has a lot to prove, cutting out the defence liability they have the ability to be very dangerous and be considered a dark horse.
Group C
Brasil
Coach Arthur brings a squad most of whom he knows very well for a long period having coached them at various points in the club level. As in the World Cup unpredictable finishing can lead to a downfall, a natural finisher required Arthur drafts in Jhennifer a renouned penalty box striker from all levels of the Brasilerão Femenino who may turn out to be a vital key. The pace of Kerolin also crucial known to the coach from Libertadores Feminina when she appeared for Audax Corinthians in a tournament we saw her great talent shine. A talented youthful midfield, and a defence more solid than in previous tournaments they will be difficult to beat though there are aspects in the back line that can be got at in a highly demanding group the opening match against Nigeria is very critical to how far they can advance.
Spain
The tournament favourites World Champions and certainly very difficult not to pick as a eventual winner and seem focused on achieving the goal. Aspects of a successful qualification to the Uefa Women’s 2025 qualification however did bring up some scrutiny falling behind in games, a loss to Czechia a defence that can be got at. Nothing is 100% in football. As we know a very high quality squad with great technical skills and pace start as the team to beat.
Japan
Á tenacious, highly technical team capable of high class football hopes boosted by memorable performance in the World Cup last year none more so than the victory over Spain. A team that will be very difficult to beat and go deep into the tournament given the nature of the draw results maybe more comfortable in a second position in the group.
Nigeria
A very tough group will severely test the great talented individuals of Nigeria who will give everything and as like Brasil the opening match will be very crucial of how far they can advance of which there is no doubt is the match can obtain critical points with a patient tactical focused performance with all players keeping their discipline. Whatever the outcome we know how good these players are and again shows just fast and far the Women’s World game has become a pool getting deeper and deeper.
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