After 48 matches in Australia and New Zealand, only 13 Chelsea Women players remain with the hope of securing the World Cup title after the shock eliminations of Canada and Germany. Blues fans are going to have to wait a little less than two months now to see new signings Ashley Lawrence, and German Sjoeke Nüsken back on the pitch. Ann-Katrin Berger failed to make it on the pitch for the European runners-up last summer while Melanie Leupolz, Jessie Fleming, and Kadeisha Buchanan combined to make six starts for their respective countries.
Two goalkeepers, six defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards make up the representatives left from Emma Hayes’ side. All but two individuals propelled their nation to the top of their respective group. Before the knockout stage begins in Australia and New Zealand, here is everything you need to know from the Chelsea Women perspective.
Chelsea Women in World Cup Knockout stage: Saturday, August 5
Japan vs. Norway
Kick-off time: 4:00 a.m. EST, 9:00 a.m. BST
Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Chelsea Women players: Maika Hamano, Guro Reiten, Maren Mjelde
The west London Norwegians are two of only three players on the No. 12th team in the world according to FIFA to contribute in every minute during Group A play. The only other player was goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen. After a slow start to the tournament, Guro Reiten collected an assist and a goal in Norway’s 6-0 thrashing of the Philippines to clinch second place and a spot in the Round of 16.
Guro Reiten steps up confidently and hits it purely into the back of the net 🎯 pic.twitter.com/LeSCWfE5on
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Hege Riise has deployed Reiten in a position she is not used to playing with Hayes at the helm. The superstar left-footed midfielder has been slotted into the midfield three instead of the front three, hampering the Norwegian’s ability to effect the contest like she did last season in the Women’s Super League. In Riise’s 4-3-3 formation, Mjelde has contributed as the right-sided center back, leading her nation in total touches through three games.
On the Japanese side, youngster Maika Hamano is one of just three players to not make it on the pitch. It makes sense since she is just 19, and the hope that she will make it on the pitch is more and more unrealistic as the tournament goes on. The Asian outfit has been the most impressive nation heading into the knockout stage, netting 11 goals while conceding none.