It has been an entertaining and record-breaking start to the Women's World Cup 2023.
From New Zealand's surprise win over Norway in the opening game, to Australia's hard-fought victory without the injured Sam Kerr, and then Spain's destruction of Costa Rica in Group C, there have been plenty of talking points.
The first round of fixtures in Group C of the Women's World Cup will round up with Zambia taking on Japan at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night.
The Sporting News has all the details on how to catch the match in Australia.
What time is Zambia vs Japan?
- Date: Friday, July 21
- Time: 7:00 p.m. NZST (3:00 a.m. ET)
The match takes place a day after the first game of Group A between New Zealand and Norway, and is the second World Cup match of July 21.
Here are the kickoff times for timezones around the world:
Zambia vs Japan start time, kickoff
| Region | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Fri, July 21 | 3 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Fri, July 21 | 3 a.m. ET |
| UK | Fri, July 21 | 8 a.m. BST |
| India | Fri, July 21 | 12:30 p.m. IST |
| Australia | Fri, July 21 | 5 p.m. AEST |
| New Zealand | Fri, July 21 | 7 p.m. NZST |
| Singapore | Fri, July 21 | 3 p.m. SGT |
| Malaysia | Fri, July 21 | 3 p.m. MYT |
| Hong Kong | Fri, July 21 | 3 p.m. HKT |
Zambia vs Japan TV channel, live stream
For Australian viewers, the second clash in Group C will be shown live and exclusively on Optus Sport.
Optus Sport is available via a monthly subscription which costs $24.99 or $6.99 for eligible, existing Optus customers.
UK viewers can watch it on the ITV and its various online outlets, while in the United States of America, the game will be screened on FS1 on TV and streamed on Peacock and other platforms.
This clash at the Women's World Cup will be broadcast in many other countries, either online or via their broadcasters.
Here is where fans can watch the match worldwide:
| Country | Television | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Optus Sport | Optus Sport website/app |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 | Sky Sport NOW |
| USA | FS1, NBC Universo (Spanish) | Fubo, Peacock, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo |
| Canada | TSN, RDS (French) | TSN+, RDS Direct (French) |
| UK | ITV 1, STV Scotland | ITVX, STV Player |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | MeWatch |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
| Malaysia | — | — |
| India | DD Sports | Fancode |
MORE: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 tickets: Sale dates, prices and how to buy
Zambia vs Japan lineups
Here are the possible lineups both sides could field as they make a play to try and match Spain on three points from one game in Group C.
Mina Tanaka is the dangerwoman for Zambia, with 24 international goals under her belt, while goalkeeper Hazel Nali will be missing through an ACL injury.
- Zambia projected lineup (4-3-3): Musonda (GK) – Belemu, Musase, Mweemba, Tembo – Lubandji, S. Banda, Katongo – Chitundu, Kundananji, B. Banda
For the Japanese, Manchester City star Yui Hasegawa is expected to start in central midfield, while captain Saki Kumagai anchors an experienced back three.
- Japan projected lineup (3-5-2): Yamashita (GK) – Miyake, Kumagai, Minami – Shimizu, Hasegawa, Naomoto, Nagano, Endo – Ueki, Tanaka
Zambia vs Japan prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Japan (-400)
- Handicap lean: Zambia +1.5 (+110)
- Score prediction: Zambia 1-2 Japan
Japan are heavily favoured to win, but Zambia are still given plenty of respect for the lowest-ranked team in the entire field against an established top global side.
Zambia's pre-tournament friendly results have seen them given a much bigger chance for an upset in this game, despite Japan's solid recent performances through 2023. Interestingly, while Zambia are still around 8/1 underdogs, they are expected to find at least a goal against a defensively solid Japanese side.
| Zambia win | Draw | Japan win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 3.5 goals | JAP -1.5 | ZAM +1.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | +825 | +550 | -400 | -165 / +120 | -140 / -100 | -160 | +110 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | 7.80 | 5.80 | 1.24 | 1.54 / 2.18 | 1.71 / 2.02 | 1.67 | 2.12 |
| SkyBet (UK) | 9/1 | 11/2 | 2/9 | 4/7, 5/4 | 8/11, 1/1 | — | — |
| Unibet (Australia) | 8.50 | 7.15 | 1.26 | 1.60 / 2.28 | 1.72 / 2.02 | — | — |
| Dafabet (India) | 9.20 | 6.80 | 1.29 | 1.61 / 2.33 | 1.73 / 2.07 | 1.66 | 2.16 |
