The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has already provided plenty of excitement.
After three thrilling group stage matches, eight teams have made it through the round of 16 to advance into the quarter final stage.
Six Hammers have been involved in the tournament so far, and four players will once again represent their countries in the quarter finals, with Mackenzie Arnold (Australia), Viviane Asseyi (France), Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi (Japan) ready to battle it out.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the quarter final stage.
Who is playing who?
Japan have taken the competition by storm so far. The 2011 winners have scored 14 goals in their four matches, sweeping aside Zambia (5-0), Costa Rica (2-0) and Spain (4-0) in the group stage without conceding a goal.
Then, they overcame a tricky Norway side in the round of 16, where Risa Shimizu scored a decisive goal on 50 minutes, becoming first-ever West Ham player to score a goal at a Women's World Cup in the process.
Hayashi has featured twice for Nadeshiko at the tournament, playing 163 minutes in total in games against
Their reward for the win over Norway is a tie against their Scandinavian neighbours Sweden, the nation they defeated in the semi-finals back in 2011 on their way to win the tournament. The tie will be played in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday 11 August, 8:30am BST kick-off.
Co-hosts Australia navigated a difficult group that contained Atkinson’s Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada, finishing second in Group B.
Arnold and co narrowly beat Vera Pauw’s World Cup debutants (1-0) in their opening match of the tournament, before Nigeria punished mistakes to beat them 3-2, leaving qualification from the group hanging in the balance.
However, they raised their game against Canada, beating the current Olympic champions 4-0 to set up a tie against Snerle’s Denmark. In a tightly contested affair, goals from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso secured the win.
Arnold has played every minute of the Matildas’ campaign so far, and will be hoping to come out on the winning side against France in their quarter-final clash.
Les Bleues, like Australia had to navigate some tricky ties in Group F and could only draw with Jamaica in their opening fixture. Things improved against Brazil (2-1) and Panama (6-3) as they topped the group, with Asseyi coming off the bench in their final group stage outing.
More goals followed against Morocco in the round of 16, with Herve Renard’s team firing four past the Arab nation. Asseyi made a short cameo in the victory, and will be hoping more minutes against Australia.
The match takes place in Brisbane on Saturday 12 August at 8am BST.
How can I watch our Hammers in action?
BBC One and iPlayer will be showing Japan’s clash with Sweden, with coverage beginning at 8am BST.
Australia v France will be shown on ITV1 from 7:30am BST.
