World Cup Group A and B Round-up

Group A - Final Game and Round of 16 qualifiers

In the early hours of Tuesday morning Canada and China secured their passage into the round of 16 when both sides secured a draw in their respective fixtures against the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Both Canada and Netherlands went into their clash knowing that a victory would secure their passage into the last 16 and it was the tournament hosts who started the brighter, taking a deserved lead on the 10th minute when the ball fell nicely to Ashley Lawrence and she slotted home from 10 yards.

Despite creating several clear cut opportunities to extend their lead the Canadians could not find an effort to beat Loes Geurts and with just three minutes remaining. The Netherlands got their rewards for second half pressure when they scored an equaliser when substitute Kristen Van De Ven fired home from the edge of the box to give her side a chance of qualifying as a best third placed side.

China and New Zealand faced off in their group fixture knowing that box sides could advance to the last 16. The Black Ferns still in search of their first World Cup victory began the brighter and took the lead on the 28th minute after Rebekah Stott fired home from close range after the box bounced kindly to the 21 year old from a corner.

China responded five minutes before half time when Betsy Hassett was adjudged to have hand balled the ball despite the ball appearing to make contact with her arm and face. Wang Lisi made no mistake from the penalty spot despite Erin Nayler guessing the correct way.

On the stroke of the hour, it was China who would strike again to take the lead after a lovely delivery into the box, Wang Shanshan rose high above an on rushing Nayer to head into an empty net.

However the Chinese lead would not last long as four minutes later the Black Ferns would respond with a volley  inside six yards from Hannah Wilkinson.

China advance to the round of 16 as group runners up, while the host Canada finished as top seeds.

Below is the final group standing

1 Canada, 5pts, Goal difference +1

2 China, 4pts, +0

3 Netherlands, 4pts, +0

4 New Zealand, 2pts, -1

Group B - Final Game and Round of 16 qualifiers

Last night Germany and Norway reached the Round of 16 after securing a win in their final group games. Germany faced Thailand in their final game and lead 1 - 0 at half time through Melanie Leupolz looping header on the 23rd minute off a corner kick.

Germany pressured Thailand throughout the game but it took just ten minutes after the break for the flood gates to open. Substitute Lena Petermann scored a brace within a couple of minutes to make it 3-0 to the Germans. Sara Daebritz scored the final goal of the game and sealed a top of the group victory on the 73rd minute with an easy tap in at the back post.

Norway faced Ivory Coast in their final game which ended 3 - 1 in the favour of the Norwegian's. Ada Hegerberg opened the scoring on the 6th minute before adding a second to her tally on the 62nd minute.  Gulbrandsen further extended their lead to 3 - 0 on the 67th minute before Ivory Coast's Koko N'Guessan rocketed a consolation goal into the top corner of the Norwegian's net on the 71st minute.

Norway progress to the last 16 of the tournament in second place from Group B and Germany progress in top position.

Below is the final group standings:

1 Germany, 7 pts, Goal Difference  +14

2 Norway, 7 pts, +6

3 Thailand, 3 pts, -11

4 Ivory Coast, 0 pts, -13