GROUP D PREVIEW SWEDEN VS . AUSTRALIA, 6 P. M . , COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

SWEDEN

How they qualified: Finished atop UEFA Group 4 qualifying Best previous Women’s World Cup result: Third place (1991, 2011) Most recent Women’s World Cup result: Third place (2011) Noteworthy: The Swedes walked through UEFA qualifying with a perfect 10-0-0 record, scoring 32 times and conceding just once to Scotland. The Swedes also are riding high following a win over Germany in World Cup preparation. Coach: Pia Sundhage. Managed the United States to a secondplace finish at the 2011 tournament in Germany. The 55-yearold also is a two-time Olympic gold medal-winning coach. Notable players: Midfielder Caroline Seger has appeared more than 100 times for her country and coach Sundhage points to the tall Swede as the engine of her team. She has featured in three European Championships, two Olympic Games and two World Cups; striker Lotta Schelin averages a goal every two games and is approaching 150 caps for the Scandinavians.

AUSTRAL IA

How they qualified: Runners-up to Japan at the 2014 Women’s Asian Cup Best previous Women’s World Cup result: Quarter finalists (2007, 2011) Most recent Women’s World Cup result: Quarter finalists (2011) Noteworthy: Australia’s head coach elected to leave Kate Gill — 40 goals in 83 appearances for Australia — off his World Cup roster after she reportedly lost her spot during an exhaustive training camp. Coach: Alen Stajcic. The 41-year-old took the full-time job ahead of last year’s Asian Cup. Stajcic has been involved in the women’s game for more than a decade and most recently coached the Young Matildas, Australia’s under-17 team, prior to being promoted. Notable players: Forward Lisa De Vanna is among the most experienced on the team and has contributed 33 goals in 97 appearances. She’s excellent with the ball at her feet and can beat defenders off the dribble; Forward Caitlin Foord, still just 20, won the Best Young Player at the previous World Cup in Germany.