Group C players to watch

As the football world focuses on Australia and New Zealand for the Women’s World Cup this summer, certain national teams will be missing key players.

That includes Spain in Group C. In September 2022, 15 Spanish national team players withdrew from selection due to a dispute with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and manager Jorge Vilda.

A few of those players have made the official World Cup squad, being content with changes the country’s FA has made, but several crucial stars still opted out.

Despite this, Spain’s second-string players have shown they are no pushovers, with an unexpected victory over the injury-plagued United States in a recent friendly match.

Spain, along with Japan, will be hoping for a smooth journey to the quarter-finals. Also in Group C are Costa Rica and Zambia, who will be making their second and first appearances in the tournament respectively and are not expected to pose a significant challenge.

Here are 90min‘s players to watch from Group C.

Aitana Bonmati is approaching her peak years, which is bad news for anyone who has to face her on the pitch.

The 25-year-old has played a vital part in Barcelona’s dominant reign, helping them snatch four league titles in a row and a couple of Champions League trophies.

During last summer’s Euros, she stepped up big time for Spain, especially in the absence of Alexia Putellas, almost guiding the team past eventual champions England in the quarter-finals.

Her performances show her capability to dictate play even in high-stakes matches, and her impressive ball control, exceptional vision, and lightning-quick footwork perfectly embody the ‘Made in Barça’ football philosophy everyone loves.

When Saki Kumagai struck the winning penalty for Japan in the 2011 World Cup final against Hope Solo and the United States, little did she know how it would shape her remarkable journey.

Over the past 12 years since her move to Europe, Kumagai has established herself as the most successful Japanese player of her generation, irrespective of gender.

Her accomplishments speak for themselves, with a World Cup triumph, numerous French domestic titles, Champions Leagues, a Bundesliga title, and an Asian Games gold medal. She’s practically a walking trophy cabinet.

In total, she has 26 senior career titles under her belt.

As captain of Japan’s squad and the last one standing from that 2011 triumph, she can play as defensive midfielder or a central defender.

With 134 appearances for Nadeshiko, Kumagai is bound to provide strength to her teammates as they embark on their quest for glory once again.

Zambia’s presence alone in Australia and New Zealand will make history, and leading their potent attack is none other than Barbra Banda.

Her outstanding performance at the 2020 Olympics had everyone talking when she became the first female player to score consecutive hat-tricks in the tournament’s history.

The exhilarating striker’s impact on Zambia’s team cannot be underestimated. While they qualified for the World Cup without her, their goal tally was notably unimpressive.

When Banda returned for the COSAFA Cup, she propelled them to victory with ten goals in five appearances, surpassing all other contenders in the tournament’s top-scorer race.

Already one of Africa’s most natural and deadly goalscorers at 23 years old, she’s ready to show the rest of the world her talents.

Raquel Rodriguez holds a special place in Costa Rican football history. In 2015, she made waves by scoring Costa Rica’s first ever goal in a Women’s World Cup.

Since that breakthrough moment, Rodriguez has grown into a key player for Costa Rica as the team’s leading scorer. Known for her skill and flair as a striker, she has showcased her goalscoring prowess with some incredible efforts for her club side, the Portland Thorns.

Rodriguez’s longevity on the international stage is impressive and not to be scoffed at either. She made her debut for the senior squad at the young age of 13, and now, 16 years later, her contributions will be crucial in helping Costa Rica surpass their previous group stage exit.

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