Saturday 08 December 2018, 10:13

Group E: A tantalising reunion and a clash of styles

Teams CANADA | CAMEROON | NEW ZEALAND | NETHERLANDS

Key game Canada-Netherlands (20 June 2019, Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims) Fancy meeting you here! Four years on from their first FIFA Women's World Cup™ encounter, one of the powerhouse nations in women's football will tackle a side rapidly growing in stature. The Netherlands got their maiden taste of this tournament at Canada 2015 and turned heads with a 1-1 draw against the hosts. Crowned European champions since then, they will be raring to show the Canucks how much they have improved and contest top spot in Group E against the section favourites.

What you need to know

  • Christine Manie scored the goals that sealed both of Cameroon's Women's World Cup tickets – and in added time on each occasion. Having struck against Côte d'Ivoire in the semi-finals of the 2014 CAF Africa Women's Cup of Nations to clinch a place at Canada 2015, she repeated the feat against Mali at the 2018 edition to send the Indomitable Lionesses back to the global showcase.

  • Despite four appearances at the Women's World Cup, New Zealand have yet to reach the round of 16. The Football Ferns will nonetheless travel to France with plenty of confidence after winning the OFC Women's Nations Cup with a tally of 43 goals scored and none conceded.

  • Vivianne Miedema is a player in a hurry. After taking part in the Netherlands' very first Women's World Cup campaign at the age of 18 in 2015, she has since published a book and racked up a long list of goals for both Arsenal and her national team.

The stat 5 - Christine Sinclair will be competing in her fifth Women's World Cup at France 2019. The living legend continues to push the boundaries and score goals for the Canucks. The world finals could see her close in on 300 games and 200 goals for her country.