By Jonathan Dixon
BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Following is the FIFA Women's World Cup Group E Preview:
Netherlands
FIFA Ranking - 8th
Best World Cup finish - Round of 16 (2015)
Expectations
As European champions, the Netherlands will be looking to push all the way Canada in Group E. Since their debut in the knockout rounds of in 2015, the Dutch have continued to improve and their meteoric rise can culminate if they can get past Canada. Sporting a young squad, the Dutch are likely to have a significant travelling support and will use that support to get them over the line in big games. Despite being the European champions, the expectation for the Netherlands is that they at least replicate 2015's result but with a desire to reach the quarterfinals as a minimum.
Key Player
Lieke Martens - Although most of the team's goals come through their other striker Vivianne Miedema, Martens does a lot of the hard work for her strike partner. Working hard in the forward press as well as providing for those around her, it is the unseen work of Martens that lets her teammates flourish. In addition to the 'dirty work,' Martens also has a healthy goal scoring rate of around a goal every other game.
Canada
FIFA Ranking - 5th
Best World Cup finish - 4th (2003)
Expectations
For the longest time Canada have been viewed as one of the world's strongest teams but without ever achieving the big successes their rivals the United States have. This a team that is full of excellence and have a right balance of youthful exuberance and an experienced old guard, Canada will be determined to make their first final and to perhaps even win the tournament. However, like so many of the top ranked teams they have to first win their highly competitive group to stand any chance of having a better draw in the next round and the Netherlands are as difficult an opponent as one is likely to face. The final group game against the Netherlands will be one of the best at the tournament and is definitely worth looking out for.
Key Player
Christine Sinclair - All Canadian eyes will be on the legendary striker Sinclair at this tournament. The 35-year-old will probably play in her final tournament for her national side after playing in four previous editions. Currently standing on a mammoth 180 international goals, Sinclair's target of 185 goals to take her past Abby Wambach's national record will be one of the side stories in France this summer.
New Zealand
FIFA Ranking - 19th
Best World Cup finish - Group Stage (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015)
Expectations
Unlike their antipodean cousins Australia, New Zealand have no expectations to win the tournament. Placed in a very difficult group, a win against either of the big sides of Canada or the Netherlands could leave New Zealand sitting nicely for their first group stage escape. However, this looks unlikely despite the fact that New Zealand boasting solid side. For New Zealand to finally make it to the round of 16 they will need to defend well and take what few chances they get in attack. A win against Cameroon is the absolute minimum and a win there would be the first for New Zealand in either men's or women's history at the World Cup.
Key Player
Katie Bowen - It would be wise to keep an eye of star center back Abby Erceg, however, if New Zealand want to rock the boat in the group their transitional play on the counter will be crucial. Attacking full back and winger Bowen is essential to the Silver Fern's counter-attack and will give her side the chance to get in behind the high lines of the Netherlands and Canada.
Cameroon
FIFA Ranking - 46th
Best World Cup finish - Round of 16 (2015)
Expectations
Like so many African sides, Cameroon's struggle stem from poor organization at the association level. Yet, this is the side that used their talents and desire to escape the group in dramatic fashion in the last World Cup. In the intervening years Cameroon have managed to push African superpowers Nigeria hard in the Africa Cup of Nations and have shown signs that the last World Cup wasn't a fluke. The expectations this year will be to get a win against New Zealand. With both sides eyeing each other up as their side's solitary win, the bottom of the table clash could provide some serious entertainment in the group.
Key Player
Madeleine Ngono Mani - Ngono Mani scored the decisive winning goal against Switzerland four years ago to send Cameroon through the group stage. While the 35-year-old forward is at the end of her career, Cameroon's all time leading goal scorer will have the added drive to replicate same heroics again.
