Opening matches in international football are usually cagey and unpredictable but rarely explosive.
This evening, however, the seventh edition of the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup (WWC) will witness one of those rare moments in the opening game when defending champions, USA, play 2010 champions, Germany, in Edmonton with Brazil taking on China in Group B.
Then at midnight (GMT), Ghana's Black Princesses will play the hosts, Canada, after Finland have taken on North Korea in Group A.
Germany-USA rivalry
The clash between Germany and the USA, the seventh time at the U-20 level, will be a replay of the final in 2012 when the Americans dethroned the Germans 1-0 to lift the trophy for the third time in the history of the competition. The two sides had met earlier in Group D which the Germans won 3-0.
As the heavyweights of women's football, the rivalry between the USA and Germany seem to be deepening at every tournament and this evening's meeting will add to the numbers which already favours the Americans.
Twelve years ago, the Americans rode on the back of Germany to win the inaugural trophy, incidentally also in Edmonton, where they won 4-1 at the semi-finals and went on to win the trophy with a win against Canada in the final.
This evening's game presents a fine opportunity for the Germans to avenge their losses to the USA as they trail 4-2 from their six previous meetings.
Both have had a good run prior to this competition and will be eager to get off to a good start and possibly seal early qualification for the quarter-finals just as they have done in previous tournaments.
Pressure on Canada
As hosts, Canada are under pressure to start off well against a tough side as Ghana. The maiden edition of the tournament was held in Canada and in that event, the hosts went all the way to the finals. Buoyed by their home fans who are eager to support their team to 'host and win', the Young Canucks, as the Canadians are nicknamed, will be out for a good start, just as they did in 2012 when they beat Argentina 6-0 in their opener while the Princesses were walloped 0-4 by USA.
The Canadians are, however, aware of the challenge the Ghanaians pose and will be wary not to underrate them despite they having the crowd on their side.
"Having a full house behind you is great, but the most important thing happens on the pitch where your players get it right and win. Ghana will be no pushovers and we are wary of the challenge they pose," Canadian coach Andrew Olivieri said.
For Princesses' coach Bashir Hayford, tonight presents an opportunity for his team to make their presence felt at this particular tournament as their participation has not been the best.
The only times the team had something to smile about was at their debut at Germany 2010 when they drew 1-1 with USA, lost 2-4 to South Korea before beating Switzerland 2-0 but failed to advance on a poor goal aggregate.
Japan 2012 was disastrous as they failed to score a single goal. In Canada, the Princesses would want to make up for that and possibly prove to the world that the team that won bronze at the Under-17 tournament in Azerbaijan in 2012, and who now form the core of the Princesses in Canada, still are a strong side.
Coach Hayford has indicated:"We consider the first match which is also against the host nation as very important. We have never won our first game at this competition and we will want to improve upon that record.
"The Princesses are very hungry for success and we will want to make the most of every opportunity we have at this tournament," Coach Hayford said.
With a blend of the Azerbaijan 2012, team as well as a number of the Japan 2012 team, the Princesses no doubt have a WWC experience squad. What remains to be seen is if the tactics and strategy mapped out by Coach Hayford and his technical team will do the magic in Canada.
The starting line-up is likely to be: Bea Ntiwaa Nketia, Grace Adams, Edem Atovor, Rebecca Asante, Ellen Coleman, Rasheeda Abdul-Rahman, Jennifer Cudjoe, Priscilla Okyere, Alice Kusi, Alice Eva Danso, Sherifatu Sumaila.
