Spain coach Jorge Vilda has warned his players against underrating Zambia when the two sides face off in a 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup fixture at Eden Park on Wednesday.
The Coppers Queens kicked off their Group C campaign with a 5-0 defeat against Japan, and anything less than a win against Spain, who beat Costa Rica 3-0 in their opener, will spell doom their little hopes of making it past the group stage of the competition being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Ahead of the fixture, Vilda has cautioned his side against underestimating the Copper Queens by saying: “Don’t let the result and game against Japan fool you. Zambia beat Germany and are capable of beating anyone.
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“In general, we had not given credit to what a great team Japan are. They could have scored more, but that doesn’t mean Zambia won’t be dangerous beyond [Racheal] Kundananji and [Barbra] Banda. They are quick on the counter-attack and take advantage of any little mistake you make.”
On Tuesday, Zambia coach Bruce Mwape declared the fixture against Spain as a must-win. He said: “We have done almost everything we can. The team has prepared adequately, and at least in tomorrow’s game, people should expect a different game altogether. We want maximum points because for us to qualify, we need to win the remaining games,” adding: “I think Spain is not a pushover. It’s a very good team. So we are expecting a very tough game tomorrow, but we are up to the challenge. We just have to do our best.”
Zambia will be without goalkeeper Catherine Musonda, who was suspended after collecting two yellow cards following a challenge on Japan’s Riko Ueki. In the other Group C match, table-toppers Japan will entertain Costa Rica at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.